Citizen architect, Kurt Neiswender, unifies social, political, and economic forces through architecture. He engages the community through service, practice, and teaching. Kurt is leading the conversations faced by our profession through his globally recognized podcast. Kurt founded the Coffee Sketch Podcast in 2019 to discuss the architect’s fundamental tool, the sketch. Now, in its fifth season, Kurt has published 150+ episodes that span various subject areas in architecture, from Resiliency, Leadership, and Significant Buildings to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.

As a Professor of Practice at Lawrence Technological University (LTU), Kurt teaches design studios and building systems courses emphasizing the Framework for Design Excellence through energy modeling, resilient design, and comprehensive building integration.

Kurt founded Urban Colab Architecture, L.3.C., his design practice, in 2021. He is focused on community-based affordable housing, historic preservation, and sustainable design projects.