2017

Joe Wheeler, AIA, Professor of Architecture

School of Architecture + Design, Virginia Tech

Joe Wheeler, AIA is a Professor of Architecture at the School of Architecture + Design at Virginia Tech. He is deeply involved in research, with practical application. His research focus is in environmental and sustainable design, and he assumes a leadership position in the implementation of design theory and ideas. Because he believes that there’s a distinct advantage exposing students to the direct making of Architecture, he engages in multidisciplinary full-scale research projects. As co-director of School of Architecture + Design’s Center for Design Research, Joe has led multiple interdisciplinary projects which include the 2005, 2009 and 2010 Solar Decathlon house projects, the latter of which won first place overall in international competition in Madrid, Spain.

Other research includes projects are related to industrialized processes, modular construction and energy efficiency. Additionally, Wheeler has also led exhibitions for the International Contemporary Furniture Fair (ICFF) at the Javits Convention Center in New York, the Salone Internazionale del Mobile in Milan, Italy and the Cologne Furniture Fair in Germany. Recent awards include a national design honor award from the AIA, the NCARB Prize for creative collaboration between the academy and the profession, the Virginia Society AIA Research Prize, and the Xcaliber University Prize for Excellence in Outreach. Other contributions include testimony before Congress regarding national energy issues.