Jennifer Akerman
Associate Professor, Architecture Graduate Studies Chair
Jennifer Akerman is an Assistant Professor at the University of Tennessee’s College of Architecture and Design where she teaches architectural design studio and other courses exploring issues of materiality, construction, and special topics of professional practice. Her research studios have explored the theme of living architecture, framing buildings as part of a larger ecosystem, including urban agriculture, bio-habitation, and microclimates. She was the lead faculty member supporting the Beardsley Community Farm design-build project, a student and faculty-led investigation that resulted in an education center for the farm which has been honored with numerous design awards. She is the recipient of the 2017 Collaborative Practice Award for excellence in architectural education by the Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture (ACSA). She is a licensed architect with a professional focus on exploring relationships between culture and materiality. With Adan Akerman, she leads the Knoxville-based industrial design practice Akerworks, inc., committed to developing innovative modern objects as an exploration of the relationship between design, material, and craft.
Education
- Master of Architecture, Princeton University, Princeton NJ, 2002
- Bachelor of Science in Architecture, University of Virginia, Charlottesville VA, 1998
Education
- Registered Architect: New Jersey and Tennessee
- Member of the American Institute of Architects (AIA)
- LEED Accredited Professional
- NCARB Certified
Practice
Jennifer Akerman is Design Director at Akerworks, inc, in Knoxville Tennessee. Akerworks is an industrial design firm specializing in modern, mechanically inventive objects and instruments that elicit unexpected delight through play. This practice explores questions of craft through a balance of traditional and emerging techniques, including localized digital fabrication. We have prototyped dozens of products, developed several to a retail level, and provided design consulting and fabrication services.
Jennifer also holds architectural experience from working at Hillier Architecture in Princeton, New Jersey, Perry Dean Rogers + Partners in Boston, and Cockrill Design + Planning in Knoxville TN.
Courses Taught
- ARCH 478R + 498R: Self-Directed Projects Seminar and Studio
- ARCH 529: MAP Seminar
- ARCH 462|562: Professional Practice
- ARCH 271: Design III, Territory I (Studio)
- ARCH 272: Design IV, Terrotory II (Studio)
Expertise & Interests
- Urban agriculture
- Design-build
- Innovative critical practice
- Digital fabrication
Honors & Awards
- Merit Award, AIA Gulf States Region, 2018. This award honors design excellence demonstrated by the Beardsley Community Farm project, a team effort designed by UTK architecture students under Jennifer’s direction.
- Collaborative Practice Award, Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture (ACSA), 2017. This national education award given to Jennifer Akerman and Bob French honors teaching excellence demonstrated by the Beardsley Community Farm project.
- Honor Award, AIA East Tennessee, 2016. This award honors design excellence demonstrated by the Beardsley Community Farm project, a team effort designed by UTK architecture students under Jennifer’s direction.
- Honor Award, AIA East Tennessee, 2013. This award honors design excellence demonstrated by the Algood Elementary School, team effort designed by Cockrill Design + Planning.
- American Architecture Award, Chicago Athenaeum, 2008. This national award honors design excellence demonstrated by the Becton Dickinson Campus Center, team effort designed by Hiller Architecture
