Faculty

Profile

Scott Aker is a registered architect, writer, educator, and co-founder of the NYC-based non-profit Institute for Architectural Research.  

With over 15 years of experience, he works simultaneously between academics and practice, specializing in a wide range of project types, including airports, architectural infrastructure, sport facilities, first-class lounge interiors, hospitality, accessible K-12 school renovations, assisted living facilities, and civic memorials.

His current research focuses on memorial architecture, particularly Design Action for Victims of Trauma, which resulted in the award-winning June 5th Memorial park. This project was recognized with the 2021 AIA Tri-State (NY/NJ/PA) Merit for Regional and Urban Design. Aker's expertise and interdisciplinary collaboration have been featured in Building Stone's Fall 2020 issue – Object of Memorialization (pp.24-39).  

Degrees Held

Master of Science, History and Theory of Architecture, University of Pennsylvania

Master of Architecture, Catholic University, School of Architecture and Planning

Bachelor of Science with a Major in Architecture, Catholic University, School of Architecture and Planning, magna cum laude

Professional Affiliation

AIA Disaster Assistance Program, Safety Assessment Program (SAP); National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB); ACI American Concrete Institute Member (EPDACI); U.S. Green Building Council (LEED AP, BD+C); American Institute of Architect (AIA); Natural Stone Institute (NSI)   

Recent Publications

Selected articles:

• "Spiral Contours of Memory", Aker, Scott (2024) ICGG 2024 - Proceedings of the 21st International Conference on Geometry and Graphics, vol 217. doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-71008-7_27
• "A Minimalist Approach to Baroque Optics", Aker, Scott (2023) Nexus Network Journal: Architecture and Mathematics, Conference Paper, Publisher: Springer Link/Birkhauser, 21 April 2023. doi.org/10.1007/s00004-023-00663-x
• "Monuments and their Consequence on Culture & Scholarship", Aker, Scott (2021) International Journal of Arts, Humanities & Social Science, Volume 02; Issue no 09; September 2021, ISSN 2693-2547 (Print), ISSN 2693-2555 (Online). 
• "Projecting Perspectives". Mathematical Problems in Engineering. Aker, Scott and Michael Sciarrillo (2010). vol. 2010, Article ID 865191, 13 pages, 2010. 

Research Interests

Architecture theory, geometry, trauma studies, memory, generative design, robotics, space architecture, A.I. assisted design, sustainable interiors for air & sound, building systems integration with focus on inclusive interiors and environmental social justice.

Awards And Honors

• High Honor Award for Interior Architecture Excellence - AIA (WHV)
• Regional and Urban Design, Merit Award - AIA Tri-State (NY/NJ/PA)
• Tucker Design Award for Excellence in Granite Detailing
• High Honor Award for Recognition of Architectural Excellence - AIA (WHV)
• LIT Lighting Design Award, Ambient Lighting