AB, Harvard College, 1988
MArch, U.C. Berkeley, 1995

Biography

Jeffrey L. Day, FAIA is Professor of Architecture at the University of Nebraska and founding principal of Actual Architecture Company. In the College of Architecture, Day teaches design studios, seminars, and workshops that explore the intersection of design conceptualization and physical construction – the meeting place of theory and practice. Day directs FACT, an interdisciplinary design-build studio that engages non-profit clients and communities in collaborations that span design and construction.

Day has garnered numerous awards including the Architectural League of New York’s 2016 Emerging Voices, a 2019 Progressive Architecture Award, Architectural Record’s 2009 Design Vanguard, the 2007 AIA California Council’s Emerging Talent award, New Practices San Francisco 2009, Residential Architect’s 2010 Rising Star, over 60 national, regional, and state AIA design awards, 9 ACSA design awards, and more. Day’s work is published in a wide range of journals, design magazines, and books. In 2019 Day was elevated to Fellowship in the American Institute of Architects, the highest membership honor in the AIA bestowed on only 3% of member architects.

Elected nationally in 2019, Day is an At-Large board member of the Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture (ACSA).

Design-Build Workshop

In the College of Architecture Day runs FACT (Fabrication And Construction Team) a design-build studio engaging design intensive projects and creative, non-profit clients in collaborations that span design and construction. FACT is a “do-tank”, a workshop in which students develop ideas and new knowledge though action as well as thought. While academic design studios focus on conceptualization and schematic design, FACT affords students opportunities to focus on the creative opportunities embedded in the development and realization of projects.

FACT has worked with Bemis Center for Contemporary Arts, Art Farm, The Sheldon Museum of Art, Community CROPS, the Salina Art Center, the Sandhills Institute, the Lied Center for Performing Arts, Sheridan County 4H Foundation, and other organizations. At the core of FACT are projects engaging places of intersection between the production and consumption of culture – where the creators and audiences meet. FACT often partners with architects, builders, fabricators and other makers such as Actual Architecture Co. and Cornhusker State Industries, the Nebraska State Prison’s fabrication shop management company. FACT has won numerous design awards including ACSA’s first ever national Design Build Award in 2013 and a 2019 P/A Award. FACT projects have been published widely.

Instagram: @makefact

Architecture Practice

Day’s professional office Actual Architecture Company is an internationally recognized architecture and design firm based in Omaha, Nebraska, but operating around the world with expansive vision. Actual Architecture Co. integrates design-research, speculative design practice, and a commitment to building architecture that enhances culture and community. Day founded Actual Architecture Co. after 15 years practicing as a founding principal of Min | Day in San Francisco and Omaha.

Instagram: @actual.ac

Furniture Design

In addition to architectural practice, Day has developed an award-winning furniture line through MOD to create objects that inspire improvisation. Informed by everyday geometries, MOD is furniture – infrastructure for living and working – that embraces the impulse to re-arrange space.