Ed Akins II graduated with a Master of Architecture Degree in 1996 from the Georgia
Institute of Technology. He has worked locally with Atlanta communities to achieve
LCI grants and with the Architecture firms Thompson Ventulett Stainback and Smith
Dalia Architects. Since 2002, he has taught at both the Georgia Institute of Technology
and at Southern Polytechnic State University, where he is currently an Assistant Professor
and Coordinator of Environmental Technologies. In 2004 he developed an elective at
Georgia Tech titled, Natural Systems, and at SPSU he applies these interests to the
instruction of Mechanical Systems and Human Comfort. Through local art installations,
his own Architectural practice, and as the co-author of conference papers on reparative
planning and solar accommodation in design, Ed continues to expose and explore the
delicate relationship between human occupation and nature. Ed was a lead partner for
the Atlanta Sustainable Building Ordinance (ASBO) in 2009 and the moderator for Atlanta's
AIA+ARCH2030 Sessions in 2011. He has received multiple certificates of service from
AIA and was the recipient of the Emerging Professional Award in 2007 from AIA Georgia,
the Emerging Voices Award in 2008 from AIA Atlanta's YAF chapter, and the recipient
of AIA Atlanta's John A. Busby Medal in 2010.