Ted Ngai

Ted Ngai is a technologist, researcher, and architect whose career spans three distinct but interconnected disciplines. Trained as an architect at Harvard's Graduate School of Design and SCI-Arc, he has spent two decades working at the intersection of design, data, and emerging technology.

As Executive Director of Advanced Technologies at Pratt Institute, Ted is responsible for the institution's technology direction. He leads end-to-end AI architecture — from on-prem GPU data center infrastructure and data pipeline automation to large language model deployment, data analysis, retrieval-augmented generation systems, and AI agent implementation. His work bridges the administrative and academic sides of the institution, translating complex technical capabilities into practical solutions that enhance decision-making, streamline operations, and unlock new possibilities for research and education.

Prior to his work in technology leadership, Ted was a researcher at the Center for Architecture, Science, and Ecology, a joint initiative between Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and Skidmore, Owings & Merrill. His specialization was data-driven building envelope design. His research produced the Active Modular Phytoremediation System — an award-winning air-cleaning wall technology deployed at the New York Police Department's Police Signal Administration Center II building. This work earned the Good Green Design Award and Architect Magazine's R&D Award, and culminated in a US patent for energy-exchange building envelope technology.

As an architect, Ted's achievements include an AIA Henry Adams Medal, 2nd prize in the international Butakovka Housing Development competition, and a design-build practice (UNI) recognized by the Boston Society of Architects and the New York Architectural League. His work has been published in Dwell, Wallpaper*, Architectural Review, and A+U.

Technology

• AI Architecture & Infrastructure — Pratt Institute, 2022–Present
• Interdisciplinary Technologies Lab — Pratt Institute, 2018–2022

Research

• Active Modular Phytoremediation System (AMPS) — Lead System Designer, CASE-SOM
• Dynamic Solar Facade Testing Prototype — Syracuse University Center of Excellence, 2010
• Energy Exchange Building Envelope — US Patent 20130340969A1
• NYSERDA Active Building-Integrated Hydroponics Systems Prototype, 2009

Design

• Hyde Collection Re-Envisioning — Glens Falls, NY, 2012
• Hainan Housing Development Master Plan — 40-unit ecological housing, 2011
• Butakovka Housing Development — Almaty, Kazakhstan, 2nd Prize, 2006
• Clifton House Series (15, 17–19) — Cambridge, MA, 2004–2006
• Teaneck Residence — Design-build, 2012–2014
• Queens Key Jewelry — Parametric design & 3D-printed metal, 2014–2015
• Widows Hole Oyster Habitat Reconstruction — Greenport, NY, 2016

Design Firms

• Skidmore, Owings & Merrill — Center for Architecture, Science, and Ecology partnership, 2008–2011
• Preston Scott Cohen — Goldman Sachs HQ Canopy, Tel Aviv Museum, 2003–2004
• Neill M. Denari Architects — Eyebeam Museum, 2001
• Coop Himmelb(l)au — Musée des Confluence, Lyon, 2000–2001
• NBBJ — Hiroshima Ballpark, Beijing Olympic Complex, Philadelphia Eagles Stadium, 2000–2001
• Daly Genik Architects — Boulder House, Vancouver, 1999–2000

Tutorials and technical notes coming soon.

Publications

• Immaterial World: Transparency in Architecture — Monacelli Press, 2011
• Building Envelopes: An Integrated Approach — Princeton Architectural Press, 2010
• The New Modern House — Laurence King Publishing, 2010
• Ethics + Aesthetics: Digital Membrane for an Ecological Era — A+U, May 2010
• SOM Journal 6, AMPS — 2010
• A+U Architectural Transformations via BIM — Jan 2009
• Smart Surfaces and their Application in Architecture — Birkhäuser, 2009
• Tiny House — Rizzoli, 2009
• Young Architects 9: PROOF — Princeton Architectural Press, 2008
• Opensource Urbanism — Interactive Cities, 2007

Press

• Architectural Review — Young House, May 2007
• Dwell — Four Houses and a Future, March 2007
• Wallpaper* — 19 Clifton House, December 2006
• Architecture Boston — Home Economics, March 2007
• Grand Designs Magazine, Channel 4 TV UK, July 2007

Awards

• Good Green Design Award — AMPS, CASE-SOM, 2010
• R&D Award — Architect Magazine, AMPS, 2009
• Butakovka Housing Competition — 2nd Prize, Almaty, 2006
• BSA In Pursuit of Housing Design Award — Honorable Mention, 2005
• NY Architectural League Young Architects 9: PROOF — 2008
• AIA Next LA Award — Hiroshima Ballpark, 2001
• NBBJ Design Award — Beijing Olympic Complex, 2001
• AIA Henry Adams Medal — SCI-Arc, 2000