Innovators Drive Industry Growth This Year

By Megan Collins 05/07/2026 4 min read 8 views

For Avi Rajagopal, the journey into design criticism began with a foundation in industrial design and design history. His academic pursuits led him to a master’s in design criticism at the School of Visual Arts in New York, where Rajagopal developed a broader view of design beyond individual works. He saw it as a cultural activity requiring active engagement and critical thought.

In a recent conversation with Tiffany Rafii, Rajagopal discussed his approach to criticism, emphasizing a broad view of design. “Not just looking at individual works but looking at broad arcs in design,” he said. Rajagopal’s perspective highlights the role of criticism as a tool for examining who design serves and what the built environment asks of all of us. “It is important to keep an eye on the fact that we are spending our resources and our efforts in the directions that maybe the society and the world needs us to,” he said.

“When we hear the word criticism, we typically think of a review, right? Or even better, the food critic in Ratatouille (2007), or this person who sits in their armchair, for some reason is considered an expert in a topic, and through the power of his words can demolish careers. The truth of the matter is that within design, especially in today’s media setting, criticism works in a very different way. When we say criticism, I understand that to mean critical thinking about the processes, the profession, the people—basically the entire ecosystem of the built environment. So, when we apply critical thinking tools to design, we start to ask some very basic questions about design. And if you look at METROPOLIS coverage, the way it shows up is not necessarily in any individual article—although many of our articles have very strong points of view, and that’s one of the things we’re known for—but it also shows up in the broad arc of our coverage. What are the things we choose to cover? What are the questions we choose to ask? What are the kinds of things that we want to promote using our platforms? What are the ways in which we engage with our community? Because METROPOLIS is not just about the stories we publish, it’s also about the discussions and relationships we hold with the broader profession. We do events, hold conferences, and I do so many roundtables.

We use judgment and discernment every single day in our work,” Rajagopal said. It’s about deciding what stories to cover, framing discussions, and determining who to involve. This discernment is important for striving for excellence and innovation.

METROPOLIS also engages with its community through events, conferences, and roundtables. “It has taken on the role of creating resources,” Rajagopal said. For instance, this publication developed the first resource for interior designers to evaluate carbon emissions in their work.

The outlet’s focus isn’t just on publishing stories but also on promoting discussions and relationships within the broader profession. This initiative reflects the platform’s commitment to providing guidance and analysis, highlighting work that represents the future of the built environment.

Rajagopal believes that the sense of responsibility in design doesn’t exist in a vacuum. “History flows into that, too,” he said.

Historical perspective informs the decisions about what programs, themes, and stories to invest in.

The team stays connected to the community of architects and designers, absorbing insights from events and conferences. This connection helps them identify remarkable ideas and bring them to the forefront. “They highlight people who are already pushing the conversation forward,” Rajagopal said. This approach ensures that the publication covers stories that are relevant and impactful.

Sustainability is a key theme for the outlet, but it’s more about the spirit and philosophy behind the idea than any single theme. “Once you’ve taken that as your tenet, you think, ‘Okay, a future for the built environment should be a future where everybody can thrive and nobody’s thriving at the cost of others,’” Rajagopal said.

However, sustainability is not a zero-sum game. It involves discernment, trade-offs, and tough decisions. “There’s expertise, yes, but also they must form informed points of view,” he said. This discernment is built on expertise and the ability to sort through exaggerated claims from marketers.

Sustainable materials like vinyl or PVC present a complex scenario. While some advocate for completely doing away with these materials, others are developing more responsible versions. Rajagopal acknowledges the challenges and the need for options. “For those who can build a project that’s completely PVC free, you should do it. Get us more examples of that. Show us that it’s possible.”