Kathy Velikov

Kathy Velikov is a Professor and Associate Dean for Research and Creative Practice at the University of Michigan Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning. She is a licensed architect and founding partner of the research-based practice RVTR, with a focus on practice-based design research and education. Her work explores environmentally responsive, technologically enabled, and climate-positive built environments through speculative design, prototyping, and visualization.

Velikov’s research addresses responsive architectural material assemblies, resilient multifunctional urban infrastructures, and territorial practices for decarbonization. She has received significant recognition, including the ACADIA Society Award for Leadership and multiple R&D Awards from Architecture Magazine, and has been funded by prestigious organizations such as the National Science Foundation and U.S. Department of Energy.

Her publications include the books Ambiguous Territory: Architecture, Landscape, and the Postnatural and Infra Eco Logi Urbanism. Velikov actively collaborates on projects like the Multi-Robot 3D Printing initiative and the Fertile Ground community-engaged interventions in Jackson, Mississippi.

• Scientific Awards
  • ACADIA Society Award for Leadership (2023)
  • ACSA/AIA Housing Design Education Award (2020)
  • Technology + Architecture Design (TAD) Journal Research Contribution Award (2020)
  • Architecture Magazine R&D Awards (2010, 2016)
  • Journal of Architectural Education Best Design as Research Article (2013)
  • Architizer A+ Award Program’s Architecture + Sound Jury Award (2013)