Kurt Zimmerman, AIA, LEED AP

Assistant Professor Milwaukee School of Engineering

  • Milwaukee WI

Kurt Zimmerman advocates for affordable sustainability, best practices and building science to advance high performance buildings.

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Milwaukee School of Engineering

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Spotlight

3 min

Exploring Milwaukee and Wisconsin's Cultural and Urban Landscape

As the Republican National Convention 2024 approaches, journalists from across the nation and the world will converge on Milwaukee, not only to cover the political spectacle but also to uncover the rich cultural, architectural, and urban tapestry that makes this city truly unique. Milwaukee, often referred to as the "Cream City" for its distinctive cream-coloured bricks, with many historical and contemporary narratives is waiting to be explored. To help visiting journalists navigate and understand the depth of Milwaukee's heritage and modern vibrancy, our MSOE experts are available to offer insights. Discover the rich tapestry of Milwaukee and Wisconsin through the lens of two distinguished experts. Dr. Michael Carriere and Kurt Zimmerman bring unparalleled expertise in the fields of culture, architecture, and urban planning, offering deep insights into the region's unique historical and contemporary narratives. Dr. Michael Carriere Professor, Honors Program Director Expertise: Sustainability, American History, General Social Science, Honors Program, History, General Humanities, Student Affairs, Urban Studies View Profile Dr. Michael Carriere, a Professor and Honors Program Director, is an urban historian specializing in American history, urban studies, and sustainability. With a focus on the growth and challenges of Milwaukee's neighborhoods, Dr. Carriere provides valuable perspectives on urban agriculture, creative placemaking, and the Milwaukee music scene. His extensive knowledge of Milwaukee and Wisconsin history and politics makes him a key resource for understanding the region's evolving urban landscape. “To me, it’s a no-brainer,” says Carriere, now a professor of history at Milwaukee School of Engineering and author of The City Creative: The Rise of Urban Placemaking in Contemporary America. “Cities like Louisville, like Buffalo, like Boston have really leveraged the Olmsted spaces in their cities. … The reason I’m really excited about [the bicentennial] is that this could be the chance to have useful, and in some cases uncomfortable, conversations on how public spaces should look and operate in a 21st-century city like Milwaukee.” The Lasting Legacy of Frederick Law Olmsted and His 3 Signature Milwaukee Parks Milwaukee Magazine April 1, 2022 Kurt Zimmerman Assistant Professor Expertise: Deep Energy, Retrofit Integrated Project, Delivery Architecture, Design, Building Envelope, Building Science, Sustainability, LEED AP View Profile Kurt Zimmerman, an Assistant Professor, offers expertise in Milwaukee's architectural history, urban planning, and sustainable design. His insights into the city's architectural evolution and design principles contribute to a deeper appreciation of Milwaukee's unique urban fabric and sustainable development efforts. “If you’re trying to build buildings that are meant to last, look back in history and see what is still standing. Those are your models. It’s all about build it once, build it right, build it to last. I’m very conscious of the environmental aspects of our projects, whether the clients ask for it or not.” The Daily Reporter October 2, 2014 For further information and to arrange interviews with our experts, please contact: JoEllen Burdue Senior Director of Communications and Media Relations Phone: (414) 839-0906 Email: burdue@msoe.edu About Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE) Milwaukee School of Engineering is the university of choice for those seeking an inclusive community of experiential learners driven to solve the complex challenges of today and tomorrow. The independent, non-profit university has about 2,800 students and was founded in 1903. MSOE offers bachelor's and master's degrees in engineering, business and nursing. Faculty are student-focused experts who bring real-world experience into the classroom. This approach to learning makes students ready now as well as prepared for the future. Longstanding partnerships with business and industry leaders enable students to learn alongside professional mentors, and challenge them to go beyond what's possible. MSOE graduates are leaders of character, responsible professionals, passionate learners and value creators.

Kurt Zimmerman, AIA, LEED APMichael Carriere, Ph.D.

Education, Licensure and Certification

B.A.

Architecture

University of Notre Dame

1986

Registered Architect

State of Wisconsin

License A-7234

Biography

Kurt Zimmerman is a career architect with more than 30 years of experience in a wide range of building types. He has a passion for the design of high-performance buildings. In his position as senior design architect, Zimmerman was charged with initiating building projects by generating functional space requirements, establishing space programs, adjacency diagrams, material research and specification and conceptualizing the overall design. He has coordinated multi-disciplinary teams of engineering consultants, set sustainability and performance targets and was responsible for maintaining the integrity of the initial concept through the entire design and construction process.

Zimmerman is the author of several of Wisconsin’s most recognizable buildings. He volunteers his time for the community: he has served as design consultant for Milwaukee’s Lincoln Village Main Street Program, led several design charrettes with Community Design Solutions and the Menomonee Valley Partners overseeing implementation of the 2.0 master plan. Zimmerman is dedicated to the architectural profession leading the AIA Milwaukee and AIA Wisconsin.

Zimmerman is a nationally recognized leader in the field of sustainable design. His design interest focuses on the ecology of the built environment, particularly building science topics and high-performance buildings. His personal experience includes working with the US Green Building Council’s initial pilot project that established the LEED certification system for buildings. His design philosophy encompass not only building and site issues but local, community and global concepts as well. Zimmerman was a member of the City of Milwaukee’s “Green Team” selected to support Mayor Tom Barrett’s sustainable initiatives. He has worked closely with corporate leaders implementing sustainable best practices; most notably Johnson Controls Brengel Technology Center (managing one of the world’s first LEED certified buildings) and their corporate cultural change as well as designing a living laboratory for JohnsonDiversey.

Areas of Expertise

Deep Energy Retrofit
Integrated Project Delivery
Architecture
Design
Building Envelope
Building Science
Sustainability
LEED AP

Affiliations

  • American Institute of Architects: Member (AIA Wisconsin - B Arch, University of Notre Dame, College of Engineering, Bachelor of Architecture, 1986, President 2016)
  • AIA Wisconsin - Convention Committee Chair, 2017; President 2013-2016
  • Architecture for Humanity-Milwaukee Chapter, Founding Principal, 2010-2011
  • MSOE - Architectural Engineering Technical Advisory Board, 2008-Present
  • AIA Milwaukee-Director at Large/Education Director, 2017-present; President, 2008-2012
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Event and Speaking Appearances

Deep Energy Retrofit Seminar

Build Chicago/Greening the Heartland  Chicago, IL

2018-05-01

Deep Energy Retrofit Workshop

University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee  Milwaukee, WI

2017-10-01