The Office for Design Evolution (ODE) was founded by Kody Kato in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The company name refers to an evolutionary design process, where principles from architecture, the natural environment, engineering and traditional methods of construction are combined in unconventional ways to enhance the way we live, work, and experience space. Kato received a Doctor of Architecture degree in Performance-oriented Design and has over 10 years of international experience. While completing his dissertation, he studied and worked under the direction of Dr Ken Yeang in Kuala Lumpur and Byoungsoo Cho in Seoul where he applied his integrated research in architecture, engineering, and mathematical biology to international projects of various scales. Through these theoretical and practical experiences, he developed his own performance-based design process to create relationships between people, material, buildings, and the natural environment.


His design process has led to projects that have been recognized by international design committees. In 2018, Kato received a London Design Award for Beyond Surface, a gravity-defying paper structure. In 2012, he was named Young CAADRIA for his project titled Toward a Performance-oriented Architecture: An integrated design approach to a real-time environmentally responsive structure. Kato has also received the Best Prize for the 28th International Space Architecture Competition (2010) as well as the Award of Merit for the Shinkenchiku Residential Design Competition in Japan in the same year. In 2004, he received the AIAS Award of Excellence, Award of Merit, and Energy Pioneer Award. His work has also been exhibited as part of London Craft Week at G. F Smith’s Show Space, in Seoul at the Space Gallery and at the Gwangju Design Biennale.