Edson Cabalfin, Ph.D. is Associate Professor in the School of Architecture and Interior Design, College of Design, Architecture, Art, and Planning at the University of Cincinnati. He received his Ph.D. in Architecture (Major in History of Architecture, Minor in Historic Preservation and in Southeast Asian Studies) from Cornell University in 2012. Under a Fulbright Fellowship from 2001 to 2003, he obtained his M.S. Architecture degree from the University of Cincinnati. Prior to going to the U.S., he received his B.S. Architecture (cum laude) and Master of Architecture degrees from the University of the Philippines-Diliman in 1996 and 2001, respectively.
His research focuses on transnational intersections of architecture history and theory, cultural studies, gender and sexuality studies, postcolonial theory, public interest design, and heritage conservation. He has published articles and presented papers on Philippine Art Deco architecture, sex workers and queer spaces in the city, informal settlements and the capital city, postcolonial architectural historiography, and Philippine pavilions in international expositions. He wrote the book “What Kids Should Know About Filipino Architecture”,published by Adarna Books in 2015.
A registered and licensed architect in the Philippines, he has worked on multi-disciplinary projects in the last 25 years, including architecture, interior design, master planning, set design, costume design, fashion design, graphic design, art direction, and design research in North America, Europe, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia.