Keelan Kaiser | People, Biola University

Department	School of Arts and Letters
Biola Affiliations	Faculty
Phone	(562) 906-4141 (School of Arts and Letters)
Office Location	Bardwell 212

Degrees

M.Arch. University of Nebraska - Lincoln
B.S. Architectural Studies University of Nebraska - Lincoln

Biography

Dr. Keelan Kaiser is the associate dean for the Division of Architecture and Interior Design within the School of Arts and Letters. Kaiser's work is built upon an extensive contemporary architecture and design education, and is backed by a 30+ year career in higher education, mostly at private, faith-based institutions closely tied to fine art and design. Kaiser began a tenure-track position at Judson University in 1998, after several years of adjunct and visiting appointments at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, and served as Chair of Judson's Department of Architecture and Interior Design from 2009-2014. During those years he also held a one-year joint appointment in 2008-2009 with the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, as they began their new M.Arch. program. Most recently, Dr. Kaiser spent nearly a decade at California Baptist University, guiding the rapid growth of its architecture and design programs. Alongside teaching and administration, he has practiced for several years, specializing in high-performance architecture and health-enhancing environments. Kaiser brings recognition as a member of the AIA College of Fellows and a USGBC LEED AP BD+C professional.

Affiliations

American Collegiate Schools of Architecture (ACSA)
National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB) (Former board member, President, and current volunteer)
National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB, earned National certificate)
Licensed architect in the state of Illinois (previously held licenses in NE, KY, and TN)
LEED AP BD+C

Memberships

American Institute of Architects (AIA)
AIA College of Fellows (FAIA)
US Green Building Council (USGBC)
Architecture Research Centers Consortium (ARCC)
Design Communication Association (DCA)

Publications

The Lost Golden Room Courtyard Gallery in the Alhambra: Sources, Graphic Analysis and Digital Reconstruction. Gámiz-Gordo, A., Kaiser, K. P., Núñez-González, M., & Barrero-Ortega, P.(2025). Heritage, 8(10), 439. https://doi.org/10.3390/heritage8100439
International Conference on Sustainability, Design, and Construction – Elsevier (2016) Phoenix, AZ Peer Reviewed Paper: “Expressions and evidence, advances in architecture studio pedagogy.”
International Conference on Sustainability, Design, and Construction – Elsevier (2015) Chicago, IL Peer Reviewed Paper: “Substantial energy use reduction strategies for buildings in continental climates.”
The Designers Guide to Doing Research: Applying Knowledge to Inform Design, Ed. Sally Augustin and Cindy Coleman, Wiley (2012). Chapter 7 includes Post-Occupancy Evaluation Case Study, Primary author.
Digital Architecture, M. Uddin, McGraw Hill Publishing (1999). Publication includes two student digital media projects from courses taught at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln.
Hybrid Drawings by Contemporary Architects and Designers, M. Uddin, McGraw Hill Publishing(1999). Publication includes images from Masters Thesis (UNL ’93) and one project from private practice.
Composite Drawings, M. Uddin, McGraw Hill Publishing (1996). Publication includes images from Masters Thesis (UNL ’93).
Progressive Architecture (Jan 1993), GA Document (June 1993), A & D (July 1993), M Emory Games, P. Eisenman, Rizzoli, (1995).

Presentations

20th Annual International Conference on Design Principles and Practices (2026). “Cosmological Impulses in Contemporary Design Aesthetics.”
2025 Venice Biennale Exhibition with the European Cultural Center at the Palazzo Bembo. “Cosmology in the Aesthetics and Craftsmanship of the Alhambra.” Collaboration with faculty from the University of Seville and Malaga.
18th Annual International Conference on Design Principles and Practices (2024). “Cosmological Design Principles Reconsidered: Exploiting Cosmological Traits and Pattern Toward Expression and Resiliency.”
Past + Futures International Conference, Architecture & Digital Representation (2022). Material Exploits: Exploring Genomic Data in Cosmological Architecture Toward Alternative Material Expression.”