Jason Van Nest

Leading 21st C. design practices by organizing offsite construction technologies. Using a lifetime of resaerch about the 21st Century shift from representational habits toward Simulation thinking -- in architecture, construction, manufacturing, & art.


Architect
Educator
Technologist
Artist

Curriculum Vitae


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I am an architect, educator, and entrepreneur. Superpowers still in development.

See Linkedin for a traditional resume. This academic CV documents a higher-ed based track record of catalysting innovation in the built environment.

This is just the begining! At New York Tech and at Logic, we are building small, smart teams laser-focused on some very big problems!



Leadership



2023 - present
Chartered, funded, and currently lead the first U.S. academic research center dedicated to advancing industrialized construction -- all based on personal research. The Center for Offsite Construction (CfOC) serves as a hub for effective offsite construction practices in North America, encompassing research innovation, standards development, consensus building, and curriculum creation.
2022 - present
Founded, funded, and lead the modular manufacturing startup (currently in Seed Stage) to monitize technologies developded at the Center and complete their path to market. Storefront laboratory at 143 Main Street.
2021 - present
Elected for the term-limit maximum of (2) two-year administrations. Preside at Senate meetings, Executive Committee meetings, serve as a faculty representative to the Board of Trustees, chair the Budget, Finances, and Resource Allocations, etc.


Education



2002 - 2005
Developed all upper studio coursework by first making novel design tools with Processing Java Applets - exporting work to architectural platforms for review.
Was the first Teaching Assistant for the newly developed course: ARCH 2226a & 2226b Design Computation. Would later return to teach the course.
1995 - 1999
Graduated with Honors after maintaining a HOPE Scholarship (3.2 GPA minimum) for (4) four years of study. Also earned a Certificate of Building Construction, with dedicated study of euntrpreurship in the AEC industry.


Teaching Experience



2010 - present
Associate Professor of Architecture New York Institute of Technology Manhattan, NY, USA
Led the development, testing, adoption, and improvement of curriculum adjustments to feature BIM & VDC workflows (in both design and technical courses) across all appropriate undergraduate and graduate curricula. Tenure and promotion granted in May, 2016.
ARCH 221
Building Construction I


(5 Semesters) The course introduces building construction and materials, and their interrelationship with the environment. Masonry and wood construction and material systems are studied in light of both their inherent physical properties and their assemblies and integration with other systems, including the influences of site and climate. Historical references frame the development and use of the materials, while comparisons with relevant contemporary buildings provide analysis of disadvantages and/or advantages of each. There is also a parallel introduction to the basic techniques of graphic representation of the language of construction methods, and methods of designing and detailing.
ARCH 222
Building Construction II
(2 Semesters) The course introduces building construction and building materials, and their interrelationships with the environment. Steel and concrete construction and material systems are studied in light of both their material properties and integration with other systems, including the influences of site and climate. Examination and analysis of both historical and contemporary references frame the discussions of material selection and use. Also covered are basic techniques of graphic representation used to convey design intent, construction details and methods.

ARCH 291
Parametric Performance
(5 Semesters) The elective course introduces...

ARCH 291
Parametric Tools for Architects
(5 Semesters) The elective course introduces...
ARCH 294
Parametric Furniture Design
(1 Semester) The course articulates parameters and rules to identify the relationship between design intent and design response as related to the human form. Focus on woodworkers’ use of specific parameters to test size, scale, component behaviors, and joint responses. Focus on the use of additive and subtractive rapid prototyping techniques for weekly iterations of deisgns.

ARCH 294
Parametric Studio Workshop
(4 Semesters) The elective course is taught in parallel with ARCH 501 Comprehensive Design, and offers advanced instruction the parametric tools used in contemporary practice, to aid in the application of design computation in a studio environment.

ARCH 272
Environmental Site Planning
(4 Semesters) This course introduces concepts of land use development with respect to the environmental impacts of project construction and post-construction performance. Also introduced are factors to consider when proposing human interventions in the ecology of the earth, including climatic parameters of sun, wind, water and biomass, as well as human parameters such as zoning, landscaping, use, and noise, and building with its auxiliary exigencies. Students will analyze sites, form land-use plans, organize vehicular and pedestrian traffic, and assess the mutual impacts of the above on a given project. Through case studies, a visit to a public hearing and a final semester project, students will learn how community involvement and local regulatory agencies affect the site planning and development.

ARCH 327
Construction Documents
(22 Semesters) Modern methods of construction drawing development, purpose, and organization through the use of computer-aided design and drawing. Study is directed and guided in the preparation of a complete set of drawings: plans, sections, elevations, details, schedules, and an introduction to specifications through digital media.

ARCH 340
Visualization II
(2 Semesters) Continuation of ARCH 240 to develop skills with advanced drawing and multimedia techniques as well as state of the art digital skills. The emphasis is on working with a wide range of techniques available to the architect and on the graphic art of presentation.

ARCH 402
Comprehensive Design Studio
(2 Semesters) This studio is a semester-long design of a moderate size public building with public indoor and outdoor spaces. Its scope includes integration of structure, building enclosure, foundation, heating/cooling systems, site conditions and selection of exterior and major interior materials. Optimum use of daylight, climatic considerations and issues related to sustainable design are to be considered in relation to the US Green Building Council criteria to qualify for a 'Silver Rating'.
ARCH 423
Project Integration Studio
(12 Semesters) Students working in teams design and develop small-scale buildings. Over the years, this capstone technical studio has served as a testing ground for new analysis- and synthesis-level curriculum developed by the Center for Offsite Construction.

ARCH 474
Real Estate Finance
(4 Semesters) This course outlines the owner’s expectation of the construction manager in the development process. The history of real estate finance is presented, then topics of project feasibility, zoning issues, and project financing are presented and discussed by means of case studies.

ARCH 476
Modern Construction Technologies
(3 Semesters) In this course students study the history of modern technological developments in construction methods and techniques. The latest innovations in the means and methods of construction are explored -- this course, too, serves as a testing ground for new understanding- and analysis-level curriculum developed by the Center for Offsite Construction.

ARCH 481
Professional Practice
(4 Semesters) Introduction to the problems involved in the practice of architecture and building. A study of the personal, ethical, and legal interrelations of the architect, engineer, owner, builder, and artisan. An analysis of the organization and administration of an architectural practice, and the various legal forms under which it can be organized. Study of building laws, codes, and zoning and their application. Supervised externships in offices.

ARCH 501
Architectural Thesis Studio I
(1 Semester) This work continues to contribute to the leading edge of the AEC industry -- joining a strong technical skill set with a entreprenurial mindset to nurture value where most fruitful.

ARCH 501
Architectural Thesis Studio II
(1 Semester) This work continues to contribute to the leading edge of the AEC industry -- joining a strong technical skill set with a entreprenurial mindset to nurture value where most fruitful.



2011 - 2012
Returned to teach the course I helped develop, launch, and TA: Design Computation. Was one of the youngest alumni to ever invited to return and teach at the Yale School of Architecture. 


ARCH 2226a
Design Computation I
This seminar introduces design computation as a means to enable architects to operate exempt from limitations of generalized commercial software; to devise problem-specific tools, techniques, and workflows; to control the growing complexities of contemporary architectural design; and to explore forms generated only by computation itself. Topics include data manipulation and translation, algorithms, information visualization, computational geometry, human-computer interaction, custom tooling, generative form-finding, emergent behavior, simulation, and system modeling. Using Processing, students develop computational toolsets and models through short, directed assignments ultimately comprising a unified, term-long project.

ARCH 2226b
Design Computation II
Continuation of study from ARCH 2226a Design Computation. Extended study in JAVA-based apps, for creating extended computational toolsets.



2008 - 2010
Adjunct Professor 
NY School of Interior Design
Manhattan, NY, USA
The school actively recruited me -- needing a licensed architect capable of integrating Building Information Modeling (BIM) workflows into the curriculum.

The collaboration emphasized customization of BIM workflows to align with the professional output expected from interior designers.

Each lessons’ further focus was on establishing and nurturing both present and future contractual relationships.



ID 236
Contract Documents II
(2 Semesters) Contemporary methods of construction drawing development, purpose, and organization through the use of computer-aided design and drawing.

ARCH 626
Contract Documents
(2 Semesters) Modern methods of construction drawing development, purpose, and organization through the use of computer-aided design and drawing. Study is directed and guided in the preparation of a complete set of drawings: plans, sections, elevations, details, schedules, and an introduction to specifications through digital media.




Service



2021 - present
Elected from the ranks of tenured faculty, and tasked wih the faithful execution of the following responsibilities:
    • Preside at all Senate meetings.
    • Preside at Executive Committee meetings.
    • Serve as a faculty representative to the Board of Trustees.
    • Chair the Budget, Finances, and Resource Allocations Committee.
    • Serve ex officio as a member of all standing committees.
    • Perform such other duties as are appropriate to the office.
2021 - 2024
Elected to help the organization expand the knowledge base essential for high-performance building professionals and engage the community to build a clean economy.
2012 - 2018
Board of Directors
MacDowell 
New York, USA
  • 2016-2018 NYC Space Design Task Force 
  • 2018 NYC Space Launch Task Force
  • 2014-2018 Development Committee 
  • 2017 Presidential Search Committee 
2010 - 2018
President - Fellows Executive Committee
MacDowell
New York, USA
  • Elected Emeritus Member: 2019 - present
  • Service: advise Board of Directors on Colony policies and initiatives.
  • Growth: added Regional Liaison and Emeritus positions to sustain new roles.
2023 - Present
  • Elected after delivering two addresses to the general membership [1] [2].
  • Developing membership Design Guides for best practices with BIM lighting software. 
  • Elaborate Technical Memorandum for industry-standard shared parameters shared between BIM lighting files.