2026 AIA Nebraska Award for Architectural | Design Education Award Recipient
Brian M. Kelly, AIA, NCARB, Professor of Architecture, has dedicated more than 20 years to architectural education, with the goal of empowering students to become curious, empathetic, and innovative architects. After beginning his teaching career as a graduate student at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Kelly went on to teach at Drury University and California Polytechnic State University before returning to UNL in 2009. As a senior faculty member, he has taught throughout the curriculum and currently leads the College of Architecture’s d.oNE common first-year curriculum, helping establish a strong foundation in design thinking, representation, computation, and historical awareness. His teaching has been recognized with 13 individual teaching awards.
Mentorship is central to Kelly’s approach to education. He has guided students through design studios, research, internships, licensure, and professional careers, with many former students continuing to credit his mentorship as influential to their development as architects. He has also expanded opportunities for students through eight years of leadership of the UNL College of Architecture Internship and Career Fair, growing participation from approximately 40 firms to 62 firms representing opportunities in 23 states. His interdisciplinary teaching and research have created additional opportunities for students, including the ICE Silo design research studio, which brought together researchers from six UNL colleges and introduced students to emerging technologies, collaborative research, and the adaptive reuse of a Cold War missile silo.
Kelly’s influence extends beyond the classroom through research, professional service, and advocacy for architectural education. His research explores contemporary authorship, artificial intelligence, and Cold War defense architecture, with his work shared through publications, exhibitions, lectures, and his co-edited book Artificial. Intelligent. Architecture. He has served on the Nebraska Board of Engineers and Architects since 2018 and in numerous leadership roles with NCARB, bringing an educator’s perspective to conversations about professional licensure and the future of the profession. Nominator Jeff Day, FAIA, NCARB Professor of Architecture & Landscape Architecture, Founding Partner, Actual Architecture Company, said, “Kelly’s dedication to advancing architectural knowledge, combined with his collaborative spirit and commitment to academic excellence, makes him an invaluable asset.” Through teaching, mentorship, research, and professional leadership, Kelly has made a lasting contribution to architectural education in Nebraska and beyond. professional practice
Architectural | Design Education Award Recipients
2026 Brian M. Kelly, AIA
2025 Jason Griffiths
2024 Stephanie Ling, AIA
2023 Vanessa Schutte, AIA
2020 Jeffrey L. Day, FAIA