About
Gerald Jason Cruz is an architectural designer and civil engineer who engages with the built environment. His interest in design and planning stems from his experience living in Manila, Philippines, where he believes architecture has the power to better the lives of others.
He graduated in May 2024 with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering and a minor in Design at New York University Abu Dhabi. Previously, he was a Filipino Scholar at the International School Manila.
His practice in design and architecture has been extensive. Jason has interned at numerous firms in Europe, the Middle East, the United States, and Southeast Asia– including Aidea, the largest architecture firm in the Philippines. He is also the recipient of distinguished awards such as the 2022 Christo and Jeanne-Claude Award and the 2021 Abu Dhabi Art Pavilion Prize. His work has been exhibited in the Philippines, the United Arab Emirates, India, the United States, and Singapore.
Jason is currently based between Abu Dhabi and Manila.
Education
New York University Abu Dhabi (2020-2024)Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering, Minor in Design
New York University (2023)
Classes at the Tandon School of Engineering, College of Arts and Sciences, and Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development
International School Manila (2015-2020)
International Baccalaureate Diploma Program
Filipino Scholar
Illinois Institute of Technology (2018)
Experiment in Architecture Program
Experience
Urbz (2024)Architecture and Engineering Intern | Mumbai, India
GMH Architecture PLLC (2023)
Architecture Intern | New York City, USA
Zauberzeug GmbH (2022)
Design Intern | Münster, Germany
Center for Interacting Urban Networks (2021-2022)
Research Assistant | Abu Dhabi, UAE
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Awards
The Christo and Jeanne-Claude Award (2022)Art grant for the creation of public artwork - Abu Dhabi, UAE
1st Place, Explore Mars Competition (2022)
Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Center - Dubai, UAE
Abu Dhabi Art Pavilion Prize (2021)
Pavilion design competition, Department of Culture and Tourism - Abu Dhabi, UAE
1st Place, Vex Robotics Competition (2019)
Vex Robotics Asia Championships - Taipei, Taiwan
Youth Excellence in Science (2018)
Department of Science and Technology - Philippines
1st Place, Innovation Award (2017)
World Robot Games - Singapore
Exhibitions
2025 B+Abble: Micro LocaleManila, Philippines
2024 Dubai Design Week - Installation
Dubai, UAE
2024 Anthology Festival - Outstanding Architecture Thesis
Manila, Philippines
2024 Experiments in Architecture
Abu Dhabi, UAE
2022 Ten Years of Design at NYUAD
New York City, USA
2022 12th Berlin Biennale (participant)
Berlin, Germany
2022 Territories of Bodies - Installation
Abu Dhabi, UAE
2021 Abu Dhabi Art - Pavilion
Abu Dhabi, UAE
2019 IASAS Art Exhibition - Sculpture
Singapore, Singapore
Leadership and Volunteering
American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) NYUAD Chapter (2020-2024)President
Student chapter of the oldest national engineering society in the United States
Project SWAP (2020-2021)
Co-founder, Head of Design and Media
Advocacy for upcycling practices in the Philippines. National Geographic Young Explorers Grant Recipient
Earth SAVERS for UNESCO (2015-2020)
Co-founder
Environmental advocacy and curriculum enhancement program for underprivileged elementary schools in Manila
Most outstanding high school UNESCO Club 2019 - Philippines
Project BEST (2018-2020)
President
Curriculum enhancement program for underprivileged elementary schools in Buting, Pasig
Habitat for Humanity (2016-2018)
Volunteer