Our Team

Nathan Woods, AIA, NCARB

Partner, Senior Architect, Education Market Leader,

“Architecture became a calling for me when I realized that we can actually change the world through our work.”

When Nathan joined Design Collaborative, he was attracted by the firm’s mission-driven work, which took his appreciation for the architectural field to an even higher level. For Nathan, as a leader in our Education Studio, that purpose—to improve peoples’ worlds—means creating enduring, positive results for students, their families, and educators.

Nathan finds the pace of change in education energizing; he believes status quo is stagnation. Through a project, he thrives working alongside our clients, making sure we’re truly addressing their problems, opportunities, hopes, and dreams. Nathan is an active member of the American Institute of Architects and the United States Green Building Council. As Partner and Studio Leader, Nathan is hands-on in shaping the future of Design Collaborative.

Areas of Expertise

• Architecture
• Facility Assessments
• Visioning & Discovery
• Private: Programming

Memberships

• American Institute of Architects (AIA)

Honors

• 2021 Building Contractors Association – New Construction Under $6M, New Covenant Impact Center
• 2019 Building Contractors Association – Best New Construction Over $6M, Skyline Terrace
• 2020 American Engineering Council – Award, Riverfront Development
• 2018 Michiana Area Construction Industry Advancement Fund, University of Notre Dame Hesburgh Library Green Roof
• 2017 Illumination Engineering Society – Lighting Control Innovation Award, Taylor University Campus Center
• 2016 Building Contractors Association – Best New Construction Under $14M, Turnstone Building Expansion
• 2013 Building Contractors Association – Best New Construction Over $4M, Manchester College School of Pharmacy

Registrations

• Registered Architect: Indiana

Publications

• From Analysis to Action: Building a Case for Student Housing
• The Evolution of Higher Education Architecture: Building Tomorrow’s Learning Spaces
• Enhancing Higher Education Enrollment through a Destination Campus
• The Results Are In! Students Respond to Higher Education Survey about Enrollment Issues
• The Power of Student Engagement: How On-Campus Housing can Increase Enrollment
• Wrapping up 2022: Education Highlights
• The Effects of Education Design on Mental Health
• Education Project Highlights
• One-Stop Shops: Changing the Student Experience for the Better
• Master Planning for the Future
• Consensus Leadership and Winning Project Start-ups
• Why You Can be Optimistic about Your Deferred Maintenance
• Input Fort Wayne Shares about Green Roofs in Fort Wayne