Benjamin Saks was born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio. Since graduating from Carnegie Mellon University in 2008, Saks has worked in varied capacities in film, design, architecture, and business. Saks brings extensive management experience working with large clients in creative industries. Since launching KerfCase, Saks' work has been published in the W.S.J., G.Q., Elle, and TechCrunch. Currently based in Pittsburgh, Saks is a filmmaker, adjunct professor of Architecture at CMU, and artist working with a variety of media. With a passion for precise craft, Saks’ fine art practice explores scale invariance in the natural world. Saks is interested in invisible things: air, time, and gravity.
Experience
Adjunct Faculty at CMU School of Architecture
2016 – Present Pittsburgh, PA
Artist in Residence at Alpha Lab Gear
2014 – 2015 Pittsburgh, PA
Instructor at Techshop
2013 – 2017 Pittsburgh, PA
Assistant Director at CMU School of Architecture Shop
2011 – 2013 Pittsburgh, PA
Project Designer at Wet Design
2008 – 2009 Los Angeles, CA
Education
Bachelor of Architecture at Carnegie Mellon Universtiy
2003 – 2008 Pittsburgh, PA
High School at Shaker Heights High Shool
1999 – 2003 Shaker Heights, OH
General Studies at Cleveland Institute of Art
1999 – 2001 Cleveland, OH
Awards
Best New Product: Accent on Design, NYNOW
For the Studio Case
Maker of Merit, Maker Faire Pittsburgh
F1D Exhibit
Create Award, Pittsburgh Tech Council
Nominee for Design + Makers
Peace it Together Award, Center for Victims
Men’s Challenge commercial
Stewart Brown Memorial Scholarship, Carnegie Mellon University
Professional Promise for graduating student
Luther S Lashmit Design Award, Carnegie Mellon University
Fourth year design award
The Carnegie Hero Award, The Carnegie Hero Fund Comission
Injured while assisting L.E.O
US F1D Team First Place, Federation Aeronautic International
Second Place Individual Medal
Exhibitions
JOHN RIEGERT Digital Prints, Fly Fishing Flies
SPACE Gallery Pittsburgh, PA
Architectural Perspectives Sculpture
Gallery Chiz Pittsburgh, PA
Life After Premiere Film
Pittsburgh Filmmakers Pittsburgh, PA
Hyperlocal Painting
Assemble Gallery Pittsburgh, PA
Transformer Workshops Performance
Watson Festival, Carnegie Mellon University Pittsburgh, PA
Group Show Installation
4701 Gallery (Demolished) Pittsburgh, PA
Examinations in Polarity Digital Prints
The Frame Gallery Pittsburgh, PA