Biography

Akins 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 architecture firms Thompson Ventulett Stainback and Smith Dalia Architects. Since 2002, he has taught at both the Georgia Institute of Technology and Southern Polytechnic State University. He is currently an associate professor and coordinator of Environmental Technologies at Kennesaw State.

In 2004, he developed an elective at Georgia Tech (Natural Systems) and he continues to apply these interests to the instruction of mechanical systems and human comfort within the Architecture department at KSU.

Through local art installations, his own architectural practice, and as the author of conference papers on reparative planning and solar accommodation in design, Akins continues to expose and explore the delicate relationship between human occupation and nature.

Akins 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.

Akins serves as co-chair on the President's Commission for Sustainability at KSU and has taught in the European Council Paris program since the summer of 2014, coordinating the art and architecture sequences for the program.

Industry Expertise (3)

Architecture and Planning

Education/Learning

Design

Areas of Expertise (11)

Architectural Design

Sustainable Design

Design Research

Urban Planning

Project Planning

Comprehensive Planning

Mixed-Use

Submittals

LEED AP

Space Planning

Green Building

Accomplishments (1)

Special Award of Recognition (professional)

2011-01-01

Awarded by AIA Atlanta

Education (2)

Georgia Institute of Technology: Master of Architecture 1996

Georgia Institute of Technology: B.S., Architecture

Affiliations (4)

• Committee on the Environment
• USGBC
• Architecture 2030
• AIA Georgia Board of Directors