Mike Nolan, associate professor of architecture, is a computation consultant, musician, sound designer, producer, and composer.
As a consultant, he has run a decades-long practice in helping architects bring new computation technologies into their practices. Recent projects have been in BIM (Building Information Modeling) and VDC (virtual design and construction) for the volumetric modular building sectors, working with offices such as Danny Forster&Architecture, Gluck+, Kliment Halsband Architects, MiTek Corporation, and others.
As an educator, Nolan has been at New York Tech for 36 years, teaching design studios and classes in design computation, construction drawing, GIS, and modern building construction technology. He was hired in 1988 to start a program in design computation. Back then, there were almost no architecture offices using computers and almost no programs in any school for design computation in architecture, other than the very theoretical, high-end work at the MIT Media Lab (started by Nick Negroponte and Jerome Wiesner in 1985). Nolan had been involved with programming on and off since 1971 and, thus, had some experience with a couple of mainframes (DEC-PDP 11s) that were used at that time. The department made the move to PCs as they became available, and has since evolved through the years, just as the profession and technology have evolved. The program now has classes in BIM, VDC, AR, VR, robotics, and AI.
Music has been a part of Nolan’s life since seeing the Beatles in 1964. He has played in clubs as well as major venues such as Lincoln Center, Merkin Hall, Madison Square Garden, The Public Theater, and others. He has served as a composer, musician, musical director, and sound designer for dozens of plays on Broadway, off-Broadway, and in regional theaters. In addition, he has produced music for award-winning music videos and an album that spent a week at the number-one spot on the Billboard World Music chart. Nolan has also designed private recording studios for several well-known musicians.
Recent Projects and Research
- 2024: Associate at Open Source Connectivity Standards for the US Offsite Construction Industry Center at New York Tech, Director of Fabrication at Logic Building Systems
- 2021–2023: Consulting for Ami Gross Architecture on SCA Projects
- 2021: Modular Project with Danny Forster & Architecture, Lebanon, Pa.
- 2016–present: Co-Founder The Nullary() Group New York, MiTek Modular Building Solutions, Inc., Chesterfield, Mo.
Professional Honors and Awards
- Eleanor Rigby music video (producer) with Erin Hill Official selection in over 40 film festivals worldwide. Won 13 awards.
- Independent Music Award for the song “Stun,” from the album Erin Hill and her Psychedelic Harp (producer)
- Eco Arts Award for the song “This Planet,” from the album Erin Hill and her Psychedelic Harp (producer)
- Brendan Byrne Fellowship, State of New Jersey and Rutgers University
Courses Taught at New York Tech
- AAID 140
- AAID 240
- ARCH 101
- ARCH 102
- ARCH 401
- ARCH 402
- ARCH 501
- ARCH 502
- ARCH 327
- ARCH 423
- ARCH 340
- ARCH 476
- ARCH 291 (various Special Studies)