Nate Imai
Email: nate.imai@ttu.edu
Phone: 806.834.7573
Nate Imai is an Assistant Professor in the College of Architecture at Texas Tech University. He teaches design studios, representation courses, and digital technology seminars at the undergraduate and graduate levels. He was the 2018-2019 Tennessee Architecture Fellow at the University of Tennessee College of Architecture + Design and has previously taught at Woodbury University's School of Architecture. In 2017, he was a part of a teaching team that received Architect magazine's Studio Prize.
Academic Degrees:
MArch, Harvard University, 2015
B.A. Architectural Studies, University of California at Los Angeles, 2010
Research Interests
Imai's research focuses on the intersection of digital technology and design pedagogy. His design work leverages custom software and the Internet of Things (IoT) to activate public space through the incorporation of publicly accessible data and material assemblies. His teaching work utilizes STEM principles and Evidence-Based Instructional Practices (EBIPs) in design studios and representation courses, and he is a current Pedagogical Specialist in the STEM Teaching, Engagement & Pedagogy (STEP) Program at Texas Tech. Examples of Imai's teaching includes implementing a flipped classroom approach to introduce digital representation skills to beginning design students and integrating IoT technology in design-build projects to provide real-time feedback on buildings' performance.
Key Intellectual Products
Imai, N. and Conway, M. (2021). “Data Waltz: Interacting with Architecture Through the Internet of Things.” In REALIGNMENTS: Toward Critical Computation, Proceedings of ACADIA 2021 Conference. (Publication forthcoming)
Imai, N. (2021). “‘Flipped' Representation: Formatting Representation Courses for COVID-19 Using the Flipped Classroom Model.” In AFTER FORM, Proceedings of the 36th National Conference on the Beginning Design Student. (Publication forthcoming)
Funded Projects
Imai, N. (2019). The Color of Air. 84-sf design-build project in collaboration with the University of Tennessee and the Knoxville Botanical Garden and Arboretum. Sponsored by the University of Tennessee, $7,000, August 2018 – July 2019.
Imai, N., Conway, M., Lee, R., Wong, M. (2017). Data Waltz. 1,350-sf installation at the Woodbury University Hollywood Outpost (WUHO). Sponsored by Woodbury University, $2,000, January 2017 – March 2017.
Graduate School
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Address
Administration Building 328, Texas Tech University, 2625 Memorial Circle, Lubbock, TX 79409-1030 -
Phone
806.742.2787