Michael is a licensed architect (#6125) based in New York City whose work bridges architectural design, systems thinking, and entrepreneurship. As the Product Design Lead at Urban Umbrella, he is working to develop digital workflows that scale architectural components beyond individual projects into adaptable systems. Through both practice and venture building, he has come to recognize that architecture often lacks the entrepreneurial drive to transform design ideas into scalable systems of impact.
He graduated with honors from the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) with a Bachelor of Architecture (B.Arch) and a minor in Theory History of Art & Design (THAD). Michael studied abroad at ETH Zurich with German Architect Arno Brandlhuber and completed substantial entrepreneurship and persuasive communication coursework at Brown University.
While at RISD, Michael served as the AIAS President, where he launched a student publication called Postmarked and a Peer-to-Peer Mentorship Program for incoming students. Additionally, he secured $25,000 to produce the first TEDxRISD—now with over 80,000 views on YouTube—and created rizdeology, the school’s first student-led podcast, featuring guests like Michael Maltzan, Deborah Berke, Nader Tehrani, & Julie Mehretu.
In 2023, Michael co-founded Surplus, a map-based digital platform that connects contractors with surplus building materials. The venture was named a top-ten global finalist in the Terra Carta Design Lab, a climate-focused competition launched by HM King Charles III and Sir Jony Ive. The project was recently featured in The Architects Newspaper & Architect.
What people are saying
“Michael is a symphonic thinker with the soul of an artist, and the discipline and leadership of a conductor.. Michael navigated the inevitable curve-balls that came his way with humility, agility, and an unwavering focus on the big picture operation and the even grander mission at stake.” - Amy Devers, Host & Producer at Clever Podcast
“Michael is a natural leader and has a determination and passion which is contagious. His presence in my course elevated the drive and motivation for others in the class.” - Silvia Acosta, Professor Emerita of Architecture Rhode Island School of Design (RISD)
“[Michael] was always able to prioritize what was most important, was swiftly decisive and yet very adaptive and accommodating…. Most importantly, he never hesitated to cut his losses when it was called for, and I believe that to be a very telling sign of his leadership abilities. - Ruchika Nambiar, Book Artist, Miniaturist & Writer
“Michael would be an asset to any organization or event that needed diligent and committed leadership.” - Rob Ranney, Video Producer and Photographer
Blaine Brownell’s article, From Landfill to Legacy: Digital Tools Turn Construction Waste into Building Gold, highlights how digital platforms are transforming the construction industry by repurposing surplus materials, reducing waste, cutting costs, and promoting a sustainable circular economy.
Surplus, founded by RISD alumni Michael J. Farris and Aanya Arora, is a decentralized digital marketplace aimed at reducing construction waste. It helps contractors find surplus materials from local construction sites and have them delivered on the same day. This reduces the need for new materials and cuts down on waste that would otherwise end up in landfills. The platform facilitates a circular flow of construction materials by offering contractors the option to sell unused materials instead of sending them to landfills or warehouses.
The article highlights RISD's (Rhode Island School of Design) and Surplus’ participation in Climate Week NYC 2024, showcasing the institution's leadership in sustainability and material innovation. One of the key events, Haptic Futures: Sustainable Materials in Design Innovation, featured a panel discussion and fair exploring the 2024 top-ten finalists of the 2024 Terra Carta Competition.
Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) has announced its shortlisted finalists for the Terra Carta Design Lab competition, part of the global initiative launched by King Charles III and Sir Jony Ive. The competition invites students to design innovative solutions to the climate and biodiversity crisis.
RISD’s 10 finalists were selected by a diverse panel of experts from various fields, including design, science, and architecture. The competition's final judging will be led by Sir Jony Ive and Jennifer Jordan-Saifi, CEO of the Sustainable Markets Initiative, with the winners announced in the autumn. The finalists will receive £100,000 in funding and mentorship to help develop their projects further.
"Newly Available" was an art exhibition featuring a diverse group of twenty graduates from The Rhode Island School of Design, Yale School of Art, and The Cooper Union. Opening on January 12, 2024, the show will explore innovative painting practices, with a focus on boundary-pushing mediums, techniques, and concepts. The featured RISD painters include Olivia Springberg, James Warren, Stella Egelja, Gwynna Dille, Owen McCallum-Keeler, and Caroline Zhang, among others. Curated by Michael J. Farris (BArch 23), the exhibition emphasizes the future of painting through scale, color, pattern, and a philosophy of fearless experimentation. The opening ceremony took place on January 12 from 6-8 pm at 72 Warren St, Tribeca, New York, and the exhibition ran through January 18, 2024.
The exhibition was designed and curated by Michael J Farris, with design input by Daniel Choconta, Jyiotindra Idria, Aanya Arora, Fred Horton. Graphics by Emma Caamano. More info @newlyavailable
The inaugural TEDxRISD speaker series, organized by RISD students Victoria Liang, Michael J. Farris, and Aanya Arora, explored the theme of unraveling through a diverse range of talks that delved into personal journeys, creative processes, and complex societal issues. Hosted by Amy Devers, the event featured stories of self-discovery and transformation, including Nellie Geraghty's shift from farmhand to illustrator, Jack Madden's integration of astrophysics and art, Manini Banerjee's work on bio-hybrid robotics, and Peter Nulton's philosophical reflections on the legacy of Atlantis. Other highlights included Hillel O’Leary’s reflection on their nonbinary Jewish identity and the harmful effects of toxic masculinity and Ruchika Nambiar's inspiring talk about reconnecting with creativity through her "Dollhouse Project." The event aimed to create an open space for creative dialogue, connecting students, faculty, and staff across disciplines to explore the intricate process of unraveling complex personal and societal narratives.
The event secures upwards of $25,000 annually from RISD and is currently in its third year.
In January 2021, Mikey started the inaugural student-led podcast series at RISD (Spotify, Apple Music). He Set out to reconnect the fragmented RISD community that had been dispersed around the globe due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. Since then, we have created a platform for discussing the profound impact of The Rhode Island School of Design as it has influenced the lives of students, faculty, staff, and alumni. (Sounds production: Aidan Gale Burke Graphics: Aanya Arora)
Notable guests include: Julie Mehretu & Benjamin Edwards (Paintors), Michael Maltzan (Architect), John Maeda (Former RISD President), Deborah Berke (Architect & Dean of The Yale School of Architecture), Willem Van Lancker (Entrepreneur & Venture Capitalist). Jim Barnes (RISD Architecture Professor Emeritus), John Smith (Former RISD Museum Director), Jess Myers (Architecture Faculty & Podcast Host of HTBD), Cas Holman (World-Renowned Industrial Designer & Founder of Heroes Will Rise), Rodolphe El-Khoury, Hashim Sarkis, Nader Tehrani (Architects).