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.