Jawwad Nakai is a practicing architect and interior designer whose work bridges digital innovation with material craft. He holds a Master of Architecture (M.Arch II) from the Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning at the University of Michigan and a Bachelor of Architecture from the National College of Arts, Lahore. His design philosophy is rooted in the integration of emerging technologies with architectural practice, emphasizing digital design, fabrication, and experimentation.
With over a decade of international and local professional experience, Jawwad has developed a diverse architectural portfolio. Since 2015, he has been based in New York City, serving as Senior Associate Architect at Kravitz Design Inc., where he has led and collaborated on high-end residential and hospitality projects. Prior to this, he co-founded and led SNAP Architects in Lahore, contributing to a variety of local design initiatives. His professional journey also includes roles with Associated Estate Developers in Lahore and Red House China Ltd. in Beijing.
In parallel with his practice, Jawwad has maintained an active academic career. Currently serving as Assistant Professor at BNU’s Razia Hassan School of Architecture, he also coordinates the Emerging Technologies Lab, where his focus is on fostering research and pedagogy around digital tools and contemporary design methodologies. His previous academic roles include teaching positions at COMSATS University in Lahore and at the University of Michigan, where he was a Graduate Student Instructor. He began his teaching journey as a Lecturer at BNU between 2010 and 2013, prior to his graduate studies.
Jawwad's academic and professional interests converge in his curatorial and exhibition work. He recently designed and fabricated Pakistan’s first 3D printed pavilion, “Datum 2.4 – The Gratto,” showcased at IAPEX 2024. His collaborative work with Storefront for Art and Architecture in New York, titled What About the Grid?, was featured as part of Storefront TV Season 2. He also co-curated the 2011 THAAP Students’ Work Exhibition, highlighting innovative student projects from BNU.
With a practice grounded in thoughtful innovation and an academic approach that encourages experimentation, Jawwad Nakai continues to shape the future of design education and architectural discourse in Pakistan and beyond.
