Vera Parlac

Vera Parlac is an Associate Professor at the Hillier College of Architecture and Design, New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT). A registered architect in Pennsylvania, she specializes in integrative design approaches, focusing on adaptive systems, material dynamics, and architectural resiliency. She established the Building Dynamics Laboratory, which explores architecture as an interdisciplinary endeavor.

Education:

• M.Arch., Architectural Design, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), 1993
• B.Arch., Faculty of Architecture, University of Belgrade, Serbia, 1988

Research Interests: Her work bridges architecture with emerging technologies like soft robotics, AI, and smart materials. Key areas include adaptive building skins, responsive environmental systems, and performance-based material morphologies. She emphasizes interdisciplinary collaboration and pedagogical innovation in design education.

Articles Trends: Her publications from 2017–2024 highlight evolving themes in adaptive architecture, soft robotics integration, and climate-responsive design. Recent works explore kinetic surfaces, AI-driven systems, and pedagogical frameworks for interactive design.

Awards:

• 2022 Runner Up for TPJ Best Paper Award (The Plan Journal)

Lab & Collaborations: The Building Dynamics Laboratory under her direction investigates dynamic architectural systems through material innovation and computational tools. Her industry experience includes roles at Kieran Timberlake Associates and Carlos Zapata Design Studio.