Kurt Neiswender, AIA, is an architect, educator, and advocate dedicated to advancing architecture as a service to society. As Principal of Urban Colab Architecture, L3C and Assistant Professor of Practice at Lawrence Technological University, he bridges practice and academia through projects that amplify equity, sustainability, and community resilience.

A 2017 recipient of the AIA National Young Architect Award, Kurt has led nationally recognized research on pop-up retail, vacant lot redevelopment, and missing middle housing, and co-authored The Pop-Up Cookbook, a widely distributed community development toolkit. His teaching integrates energy modeling, AI-assisted design, and systems thinking, mentoring students who have achieved national scholarships and awards.

» Research Interests

• Equity and community resilience in architecture
• Sustainable design
• Pop-up retail and vacant lot redevelopment
• Missing middle housing
• Energy modeling and AI-assisted design
• Systems thinking

» Professional Experience

• Founder, Principal Architect, Urban Colab Architecture, L3C
• Assistant Professor of Practice, Lawrence Technological University

» Honors & Awards

• AIA National Young Architect Award, 2017
• Building Design and Construction 40 Under 40 2018
• AIA Michigan Young Architect Award 2015 

» Publications & Research

Primary Investigator, The Pop-Up Cookbook