Sustainable Design
Robert Fryer, RA, LEED AP, NCI
Director and Cofounder, MS in Sustainable Design
Professor, MS in Sustainable Design
Contact Information
Jefferson - East Falls Campus
4201 Henry Avenue
SEED Center, Room 121
Philadelphia, PA 19144
Director and Cofounder, MS in Sustainable Design
Professor, MS in Sustainable Design
Areas of Specialization
Education
MA, The Architectural Association (London, UK)
BS, Architectural Engineering, Drexel University
BS, Civil Engineering, Drexel University
Biography
Robert Fryer is the Director, Professor, and Cofounder of the MS Sustainable Design Program at Thomas Jefferson University. His contributions were key to awards for the MSSD Program from the National Institute for Building Science and the United States Green Building Council. He has been a professor the University since 2004 at both undergraduate and graduate levels.
Among the courses he teaches, Robert oversees the Thesis sequence, where students undertake research into adaptive sustainable high performance design projects that span eleven countries. Thesis projects have also led to the creation of over 10 new businesses and one patent.
His research interests include sustainable and resilient design education, systems thinking applied to education, performative building and assembly design, and biophilic senior care. He has presented research at national and international conferences such as PLEA, the Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture, the World Symposium on Sustainable Development at Universities, and Environments for Aging.
Robert’s current practice includes the development of biophilic adult day care centers (with BAU Architects), LEED consulting, charrette facilitation, and sustainable residential design. Previously, he practiced architecture for nearly 10 years on residential, educational, and hospitality projects.
Robert also enjoys providing outreach to elementary and junior high school students. He has worked with local school districts to offer after school programs.
He is currently writing a book, Resilient and Adaptable Design for the Built Environment: A Holistic Approach to the Design of Neighborhoods, Buildings, and Sites, and will be published by Wiley.
AWARDS
2026 Mentoring Award, Thomas Jefferson University
2022 Outstanding Teaching Award, Thomas Jefferson University
2016 Build Architecture Award
2012 National Institute of Building Science, High Performance Inititives
2010 Council for the Advancement and Support of Education, Best Pracitces in Communication
2009 United States Green Building Council, Education Recognition Award