Architecture
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CO–G /kozh/ or /koj/ is an architecture and design practice with active projects across the United States. The name draws on the prefix “co–”meaning together, collective, even conspiratorial, reflecting a practice rooted in working in common. Architecture is developed through shared processes of making, experimentation, and exchange, where authorship is distributed and ideas are tested through collaboration.
Our work spans residential projects and mission-driven clients—including conservation, arts, and cultural organizations—alongside hospitality and retail environments, often conceived as branded spaces where spatial identity, use, and atmosphere are closely intertwined. Across these contexts, we approach each project as both a building and a system, extending from architecture to interiors, objects, and material assemblies.
We create spaces that are simultaneously inventive and familiar—recognizable, but not quite fixed. Our work engages material and detail as a way of negotiating contemporaneity: sophisticated and playful, contextual and specific. Each project is shaped through its region, responding to local construction practices, climate, environmental impact, and the visible effects of weathering over time.
The studio operates as an open and iterative platform. We work closely with clients, collaborators, and builders to develop projects through cycles of drawing, modeling, prototyping, and construction. This process allows architecture to remain responsive—evolving through use, maintenance, and change—while maintaining a clear and deliberate material and spatial identity.
CO–G has been exhibited and published, including Dwell, ARCHITECT Magazine, Interior Design, Architect’s Newspaper, AN Interior, DesignBoom, Harvard Design Magazine, Liebal, and the Boston Design Biennale.
Elle is a licensed architect, principal of CO–G, and a Design Critic in Architecture at the Harvard Graduate School of Design.
Gerdeman’s architectural work explores the design of spaces, through a holistic approach focused on materiality and regional design influence. This expertise is found in her work on residential, retail design, restaurants, hospitality, and the design of public spaces. Together with her team, she collaborates with clients to create resilient and unique designs.
Prior to CO–G, she was an Associate at Höweler+Yoon where she led specialty commissions, retail, and residential projects in Dubai, Shanghai, and the US. This included FloatLab, a submersible ring designed to experience a contaminated river, which won a Progressive Architecture Award, and the 2020 Empathy Pavilion in collaboration with the MIT Media Lab. She worked in New York, Los Angeles, Seattle, and Rotterdam, where at OMA she contributed on the Timmerhaus Cultural Center, the Qatar National Library, and the Venice Biennale. She has taught studios at MIT exploring design through alternate forms of representation and authorship and held the 2018 Rotch Fellowship, where her research examined cultural production amongst regional identity and altered resources through the lens of weather.
Gerdeman received a Master of Architecture from Harvard University GSD with commendation and a BFA in Design with arts and computation with honors from Miami University. Her research and design work has been exhibited and published internationally, including the Venice Biennale, the Hong Kong Shenzhen Biennale, ACADIA 2014, the Chicago Night Gallery, and Gallery A4 Tokyo.
CO–G
Cambridge, MA 02138
614-216-2668 hello@co-g.co
Kyle Coburn is a Principal of CO–G and is a registered architect with over 15 years of design-focused experience across a variety of scales and project types.
Prior to CO–G, Kyle was a Director at Howeler + Yoon Architecture where he led cultural, institutional and multi-family projects for clients including Yale University, University of Pennsylvania, Brown University, Alexandria Real Estate, Transom Real Estate and the Lipsey Architecture Center. Kyle managed the design, approval, and production phases for the 212 Stuart Street Residential tower in downtown Boston. He also was the Project Architect for cultural projects including the Lipsey Architecture Center in Buffalo, the Weitzman Theater at UPenn and the Qianhai Art Pavilions located in Shenzhen, China. Kyle has deep experience in multi-family residential projects, including the Zero Athens Residences in South Boston and 44 Soldiers Field Place in Allston.
In addition to his professional experience, Kyle has taught graduate level design studios at Harvard GSD and MIT. Kyle received a Master of Architecture from MIT where he was awarded the Arthur Rotch Prize, the Sidney B. Karofsky Core Award and the AIA Certificate of Merit.
CO–G featured in The Architects Newspaper “In Rhode Island, CO—G sculpts Kaffeology with billowing plaster surfaces and monolithic terra-cotta figures”
Estelle Yoon, Sarah Pumphrey, Charlotte Day, Celeste Martore, Andrew Lee, Stephanie Tang, Taylor Smith, John Adrian.
Elle Interviewed for Dwell Magazine on shaping imperfection.
CO–G featured in Architect’s Newspaper “CO—G updates a Sears kit house for 21st century living.”
Elle to lecture at SCCF (Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation) on Resilient Architecture & Landscapes. Zoom Link at 7pm EST.
CO—G highlighted in Dwell Magazine’s Rising Stars print September/October 2022 issue. The Porter Loft included as a 5 spread feature.
Elle will jury the AIA Dallas Unbuilt Design Awards.
Elle to lecture at the Syracuse School of Architecture “On Construction”.
CO—G’s Plum Island House to be featured in “Inscriptions: Architecture Before Speech” by K. Michael Hays and Andrew Holder.
CO—G’s Tilt-up Pavilion is featured in the new book “Universal Principals of Interior Design,” by Chris Grimley and Kelly Harris Smith. Available today.
CO—G to present their work at the University of Southern California School of Architecture.
Elle’s course on Architectural Representation “Origins, Originality” has been featured in an article “On Pushing the Boundaries of Architecture Representation” by Alex Anderson on the Harvard GSD website.
“Loose Fit” is featured in Interior Design Magazine’s printed September Issue.
Elle spoke with architect Lorcan O’Herlihy about his recent book “Architecture is a Social Act: Lorcan O’Herlihy Architects” as a part of the public Books and Looks Series at the Harvard GSD.
CO-G has been nominated as “Rising Star” for Boston Magazine.
CO-G to present their work at the College of Architecture at Texas Tech University.
Elle to sit at round table event for Design Seaport and Boston Design Week.
CO—G to present their work at the UC Berkeley College of Environmental Design.
Plum Island House was featured on DesignBoom.
“plum island house by CO-G playfully rethinks typical new england architecture”
Girl Uninterrupted Conversation “Questioning Standards in Architecture”
CO-G is thrilled to be named Architect Magazine’s “Next Progressives”.
“This Boston-based duo is interested in “mirages, furriness, and lore.”
Elle will lecture “On Air” at Miami University.
CO-G will present their work “Phantom Fictions” at the Night Gallery in Chicago, IL.
Elle has won the 2018 Rotch fellowship, where her research will examine cultural production amongst regional identity and altered resources through the lens of weather.
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Graphic Design and Programming: PIN (Samuel Bänziger and Olivier Hug)
1% of all revenue will be donated to the Environmental Defense Fund for research and policy towards clean energy.