Doctorate in Architectural Sciences, Center for Architecture Science and Ecology at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute; M. Arch II, Performance Design, Center for Architecture Science and Ecology at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute; Bachelor of Architecture, the University of Texas at Austin
Dr. Nina Wilson joins the Syracuse University School of Architecture as Assistant Professor of Architectural Technology in the fall of 2019. Wilson will be teaching Building Systems Design and Integrated Studio courses.
Dr. Wilson was previously a faculty member at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in a joint Lecturer appointment between the School of Architecture and the Science and Technology Studies department, where she taught an interdisciplinary Program in Design Innovation studio, the Built Ecologies graduate seminar, and the Energy, Comfort, and Ecology undergraduate lecture course in 2019.
During her appointment at Rensselaer, she was awarded the RPI Teaching and Learning Collaboratory Seed Projects grant for a proposal on pedagogical innovation. Prior to that, Wilson teamed with engineers, material scientists, and chemists on federal and state-funded energy and building technology research projects.
Wilson has advised on strategic Smart Cities initiatives with municipalities in the US and internationally, and previously founded a design technology company with the aim of deploying sustainable housing and renewable technologies in regions affected by climate change and natural disaster.
RESEARCH
Dr. Wilson’s pedagogical and research philosophy focuses on building interdisciplinary approaches to architectural systems inquiry. Her current work includes the development of reconfigurable environmental systems, renewable materials engineering for modular construction, and simulation and visualization tools for collaboration between architects and inventors. Wilson now operates her collaborative design practice out of New York, and is working with the New York State Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) on developing models for affordable Net Zero housing for new construction and deep energy retrofit applications.
Wilson’s recent published work examines the potential of adapting aeronautical engineering techniques to the development of design-integrated environmental controls systems, and the role of aerodynamic performance in architecture. She is currently writing on the design of virtual interfaces for collaborative invention in environmental systems, including lighting, ventilation, and air quality remediation.
