📃Curriculum Vitae
circa 2023
Kurt Neiswender, AIA
Flint, Michigan 48503
EMAIL: info@urbancolab.design
WEB: www.urbancolab.design
WORK EXPERIENCE
Urban Colab Architecture, L.3.C. – Flint, MI
Founder, Owner – April 2020 - Present
Launched Sole Proprietor design firm to focus on community-based design solutions.
Primary focus on Sustainability, Resilient Design, Regenerative Design, and Adaptive Reuse.
Project types include affordable housing, missing middle housing, incremental development.
Sedgewick + Ferweda Architects – Flint, MI
Project Architect – July 2012 - December 2020
Initiated and trained staff on 2D/3D Building Information Modeling software, Autodesk Revit, to improve design accuracy, efficiency and quality of client deliverables.
Lead the design of all Net Zero Energy design projects that have successfully completed two single family residences and currently developing Flint's first Net Zero Energy commercial building.
Strategizing business development and client service experience through systems development.
MainStreet Design Build – Birmingham, MI
Director of Architecture – September 2010 – July 2012
Managed design staff of three to field measure, document, and design all residential and commercial projects.
Directly responsible for coordinating construction administration services for all project work. Prepared all permit application and planning approval presentations.
Communicated progress of all project work in weekly meetings.
OJMR Architects – Los Angeles, CA
Project Architect – March 2007 – September 2010
Gruen Associates – Los Angeles, CA
Project Designer – June 2006 – March 2007
Deborah Waldrip Architect – Malibu, CA
Project Designer – June 2005 – June 2006
Togawa Smith Martin Residential
Junior Designer– June 2004 – June 2005
James Schettino Architect – New Canaan, CT
Designer – December 2003 – June 2004
EDUCATION
Lawrence Technological University – Southfield, MI
Masters of Urban Design – 2015
Graduated with Distinction
Sustainable Urbanism Concentration
Columbia University – New York, NY
NY/Paris Program - 2003
Attended Fall Semester in New York
University of Southern California – Los Angeles, CA
Bachelors of Architecture – 2003
Five-year professional degree
Member – Tau Kappa Epsilon Fraternity
PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS
American Institute of Architects
National Appointments
2019-2022 AIA National Small Firm Exchange Board of Directors
2017 AIA National Practice Innovation Lab Participant
2017 AIA / NCARB Experience Advisory Committee Co-Chair
2013-2016 Young Architect Regional Director - Michigan Region
2013-2016 AIA National Resolutions Committee (2016 Chair)
Regional Appointments
2021-2022 AIA Michigan Board of Directors
2019 AIA New Jersey Design Service Awards Jury Member
2019 AIA Michigan Strategic Planning Committee for 2020-2025 Strategic Plan
2016 AIA Michigan Recognitions Committee
2013-2016 Young Architect Regional Director - Michigan Region
Local Appointments
2020-2021 AIA Flint Component Past President
2018-2019 AIA Flint Component President
2016-2017 AIA Flint Vice President, President Elect
2012-2015 Emerging Professionals Committee Chair
National Council of Architectural Review Board NCARB
National Appointments
2016-2017 Architecture Review Exam ARE 5.0 Content Development Committee
2016 Experience Advisory Committee Co-Chair
Michigan Association of Planning
Member 2013—Present
TECHNOLOGY
MS Office Suite, G Suite, Adobe Suite, GIS, Autodesk Design Suite Premium, SketchUp, Space Syntax, Google Earth, Rhinoceros + Grasshopper, Energy Auditing and Analysis-BEopt, Sefaira, Energy Plus, Passive House PHIUS+.
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
Lawrence Technological University – Instructor F/T
College of Architecture and Design
Instructor - Full Time Faculty - 2021-Present
Adjunct Faculty - 2020-2021
Subject Area: Building Systems – Teaching in Undergraduate and Graduate Studies
ARC 3423, ARC 5413 – HVAC and Water Systems
ARC 4443, ARC 5443 - Acoustics, Lighting, and Illumination Systems
ARC 2116 - Integrated Design 1
ARC 2126 - Integrated Design 2
ARC 3126 - Integrated Design 4
ARC 4116 - Integrated Design 5
ARC 4126 - Comprehensive Design - Lab Component
University of Michigan-Flint – Adjunct Faculty
Geography, Planning, and Environment Department
Lecturer I—2013-2019
Subject Area: Sustainability and Urban Design
ESS 360, ESS 140, GEO 299, GEO 297, URP 498, URP 310, URP 212, URP 111
Art and Art History Department
Lecturer I—2014-2015
Subject Area: 2D Design, Community Engaged Design
ART 379, ART 141
COMMUNITY SERVICE
Lawrence Technological University
Architecture Alumni Cabinet
2018-2020 Cabinet Member
2019 Vice Chair
2018 Secretary
City of Flint / Community Activity
2019-Present Historic District Commissioner
2019-2020 Durant Turri Mott Workgroup Member
2017-2020 Flint and Genesee Chamber Sales Lead Round Table
2015-Present University Avenue Corridor Coalition
Genesee County Historical Society
2019-2020 City of Flint Historic District Commission Liaison
City of Grand Blanc
2018-2019 Pop Up Retail Advisory Committee
Previous Service Experience
Davison Township Planning Commission
2013-2016 Commissioner
Imagine Flint Master Plan
2014-2015 Open Space, Parks & Environmental Features Implementation Task Group
AWARDS
2018 Flint & Genesee Chamber of Commerce Art of Achievement Awards
2018 Small Business Award - Winner (Sedgewick + Ferweda Architects)
2018 Young Professional of the Year - Nominee
2018 AIA Flint Design Awardee
Sustainable Design Award for Satori Passive House
2018 Building Design + Construction Magazine
2018 40 Under 40 Winner
AIA National Recognition Award
2017 Young Architect Award
2016 Green Light Flint Finalist
Business Model Competition
AIA Michigan Recognition Award
2015 Young Architect Award
AIA Flint
2013 AIA Flint Design Award Winner for 2012 Park(ing) Day Installation
Michigan Architecture Foundation
2013 D. James Walker Jr. Memorial Scholarship $3,000.00
Leadership Detroit
2012 University Partners Leadership Training—Class II
Lawrence Technological University
2011 Graduate Research Assistantship Studio [CI]
GRANT FUNDED RESEARCH / PROJECTS
2020 UM Flint EDA Research Grant
$8,500 Grant extending research in Pop-Up retail
2020 Share Arts Flint Grant Year 2 – Greater Flint Arts Council
$2,000 Award for development of AIA Flint - Guide to Architecture
2019 Share Arts Flint Grant Year 1 – Greater Flint Arts Council
$3,200 Award for development of AIA Flint - Guide to Architecture
2018 UM Flint HFRCC Research Grant
$1,000 Consulting Architect
2018 UM Flint EDA Research Grant Phases III+IV
$20,000 Grant extending research in Pop-Up retail
2017 UM Flint EDA Research Grant Phases I+II
$20,000 Grant exploring Pop-Up retail
2016 Michigan Architectural Foundation Public Awareness Grant
$1,200 Award for Revisions to AIA Flint - Guide to Architecture
2013 AIA Flint Flat Lot Competition
$50,000 Total Grant Funded Collaborative Art/Architecture Installation
SPEAKING / WRITING
August 28, 2020—Net Zero Build Summit-Novi, MI
Panelist: Design Challenges for Residential and Multi-Family Premises Embracing Net-Zero
Building Principles
July 15, 2020—Talking Home Renovations with the House Maven
Podcast guest episode 20
June 30, 2020—Inside the Firm Podcast – Monday Morning Coffee
Podcast guest appearance with Jamie Crawley, AIA
October 24, 2019—AIA Texas Society of Architects Annual Convention
Pecha Kucha: The Art of Execution
October 17, 2019-Powers Catholic High School
Career Day
October 10, 2019—AIA Michigan Leadership Retreat
Pecha Kucha: AIA Flint Component Presentation
October 4, 2019—UM Flint EDA Center
Pop Up Retail Research Phases III+IV
September 9, 2019—Factory Two Tech Meet-Up
Presentation: Computational Design in Architecture
August 9, 2019—EntreArchitect Podcast with Mark R. LePage
EA283: The Power of Sketching with Kurt Neiswender and Jamie Crawley of Coffee Sketch Podcast
May 1, 2019—AIA Flint Guide to Architecture
“A Flint Guide To Architecture” Publish Date
2019—Present The Coffee Sketch Podcast
Co-Founder with Jamie Crawley, AIA
December 11, 2018—USA Today Online
25 Must See Buildings in Michigan—Flint Contribution
November 13, 2018—Incremental Development Alliance
Design Charrette Simulation for Incremental Housing Development
November 8, 2018—UM Flint Guest Lecture
Principles of Passive House Design
November 1, 2018—AIA Flint Guide to Architecture
Committee Chair for Updated Map Guide to Architecture
October 30, 2018—UM Flint EDA Grant Presentation Pop Up Retail Research Phases III+IV
October 16, 2018—UM Flint Science on Tap Principles of Net Zero Energy Buildings
September 30, 2018—UM Flint EDA Center “The Cookbook” a publication sponsored by the C.S. Mott Foundation
September 8, 2018—Detroit Design Festival 18th Street Community Design Charrette
October 24, 2017—Aspire: The Power of People and Place EDA Center Report on Faculty Grant Research “Pop Up Retail”
May 10, 2016—Flint Countywide SOUP “The Case for Incremental Housing in Flint”
April 27, 2016 Davison High School
Career Day Representing the Profession of Architecture
Feb. 25, 2016—Archinect Sessions Podcast
Special Guest—”Dispatch from Flint” Episode #54
Feb. 22, 2016—YAF Connection
Advocacy Article “A Great Lakes Water Problem”
Volume 14, Issue 1
Feb. 12, 2015—Michigan Association of Planning Student Conference
Wayne State University
“New Vision—Mott Park Recreation Area”
Jan. 22, 2016 Davison Middle School
Presentation—“What it Takes to Be an Architect”
Dec. 2015—YAF Connection
Article Interview with Donna Sink, AIA
Volume 13, Issue 6
Nov. 3, 2015—UM Flint ERS Department
Guest Lecture—GEO 380
University of Michigan—Flint
July 31, 2015—Arts / Tech / Biz—Mash-up
Urban coLAB Architecture, L.3.C.
Recent Work - Flint Public Interest Design
June 2, 2015—SmithGroup—Detroit
Presentation—“What is an EP?
April 2015—Structures for Inclusion Conference
Carr Center Detroit
Brennan Park Site Plan Design
February 2015—Michigan Association of Planning Student Conference
University of Michigan—Ann Arbor
“Strengthening Community Through Urban Design”
November 2014—AIA YAF Connection
“Passive House—The Obstacles in Exceeding Expectation”
January 2014—AIA Michigan Leadership Retreat
Panelist—Emerging Professionals and AIA Michigan
January 2014—AIA YAF Connection
“Passive House—The Craft of Next Generation Residential Technology”
June 2013—AIA Michigan
Architectural Review Examination Prep
Presenter on Building Systems Test Prep
May 2013—Flint Optimist Club
Guest Speaker—”Flint Flat Lot Competition”
April 2013—LTU Panel Discussion
Panelist with Mickey Jacob—AIA National President
“The Future of the Profession”
April 2011—ARCC Conference
The Carr Center, Detroit
With Studio [CI]- Ford C3 Grant Presentation
“Net Zero Community Design”
SELECTED PROJECTS
2019—Present “The Coffee Sketch Podcast” 100+ Episodes
www.coffeesketchpodcast.com
Co-founded a weekly podcast with friend and architect Jamie Crawley, AIA, inspired by Jamie and Kurt’s shared passion for sketching, coffee and conversation. Coffee Sketch Podcast is our take on the intersection of old tech and new tech the space between the traditional practice of the hand-drawn sketch that has been performed by architects and designers for centuries and the modern day use of the #hashtag as a representation of sentiment or a movement! Each week we plan to deliver a new pod about our ideas, sketches, and what’s going in our daily lives as we pursue our love of architecture, design, and sharing this knowledge with the next generation.
2017-2018—University of Michigan EDA Center Provost Grant
$40,000.00 Grant Exploring Pop Up Retail
The intent of this project is to explore emergent trends in “pop-up” style retail and concepts in innovative business incubation. This proposal outlines the exploration through community survey and participatory design charrettes. I plan to engage with two to three community partners representing downtown, suburban, and rural environments sampled from the seven EDA counties. The fundamental goals of this project is to identify appropriate sites that have socioeconomic and environmental conditions that can sustain pop-up retail kiosks, and create opportunities for citizens to access incremental business storefronts that are not feasible with traditional “bricks and mortar” lease space.
2016—Dewey Park and Foss Avenue Neighborhood Pavilions
Design/Build with Habitat for Humanity
I provided pro-bono services partnered with the Genesee County Habitat for Humanity in a Citywide Request for Proposal for two pavilions on public land in Flint. Through the collaboration with Genesee County Habitat for Humanity, my design was chosen as the winning proposal and awarded the contract for both pavilions. The construction budget for both pavilions is $50,000.00 including design services, permits, materials and labor. Both pavilions are scheduled to be complete by June of 2016.
2014-Present—Passive House Projects
Using Advanced Framing and Energy Modeling to Improve the Built Environment
Kurt managed the design and construction of Michigan’s first two United States Passive House Institute (PHIUS) Passive Homes. Passive House is the most energy efficient construction rating for residential buildings by reducing energy consumption up to 80%-90% better than standard construction. The result is minimal dependence on fossil fuels and increased health benefits from lower emissions. Currently working on three new net zero energy projects in Michigan.
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