Nilou Vakil

Nilou Vakil is an Associate Professor of Architecture at the University of Kansas (KU) School of Architecture and
Design, a licensed architect, a LEED BD+C accredited professional, and Principal of in situ Design, an award-
winning, community-oriented architecture and urban design firm she has led since 2010. With two decades of
national and international professional experience, Vakil brings a deep commitment to community-engaged design,
inclusive pedagogy, and design justice to both her academic and professional work.

Originally from the Middle East, Vakil’s formative experiences during the regional wars and witnessing the
destruction of thriving cities deeply shaped her belief that communities must have a voice in shaping their built
environment. This belief grounds her teaching, research, service, and practice, all of which center on the
intersection of participatory design, equity, and social impact.

Vakil joined the KU full-time faculty of the School of Architecture and Design in 2017 as Director of Strategic
Initiatives, where she founded the Interior Architecture program and served as its inaugural director. She teaches
architectural design studios, Ethics and Leadership in Professional Practice, and research seminars focused on
community partnerships and service-learning models. Her “Inclusive Cities” seminar, developed as part of her
appointment as the Matthew and Ashley All Faculty Fellow in the KU Honors Program (2020-2025), explores
participatory urbanism and inclusive design strategies.

Her contributions to architectural education have been widely recognized. She was named one of the Top 25 Most
Admired Architecture Educators in the U.S. by Designintelligence™ in 2018 and received the 2024 Kemper
Fellowship for Teaching Excellence and Innovation, the 2024 Jack and Nancy Bradley Award for Excellence in
Teaching, the 2022 NCARB Scholars recognition, and the Kivett Award for Design Justice in 2022. Vakil also
continues to serve as a mentor in KU’s University Scholars and KU’s Honors Program.
Beyond the academy, Vakil has long advocated for underrepresented voices in architecture. Since 2004, she has
worked with the American Institute of Architects’ Women in Design (WiD) committees and has helped lead
professional development efforts through AIA Young Architects programs, the National Organization of Minority
Architects (NOMA), and other equity-focused initiatives.

Vakil’s work exemplifies a career that bridges theory and practice, advancing architectural education through
scholarship, institutional leadership, and unwavering commitment to community empowerment