APDesign In the News

Designing for Impact: Nate Morton’s Journey from Studio to Service

When Nate Morton, a graduate student in architecture at Kansas State University’s College of Architecture, Planning & Design (APDesign), talks about design, his voice carries both conviction and humility. For Morton, architecture is more than buildings—it’s about people, communities, and the possibility of leaving places better than he found them.

This fall, Morton was selected to serve as Chair of the 2025–2026 Freedom By Design (FBD) Advisory Committee for the American Institute of Architecture Students (AIAS). The appointment places him at the helm of a national program that empowers students to apply their design skills to address real-world challenges, from accessibility and housing needs to broader questions of sustainability and equity.

“Freedom By Design is about showing how architecture can be a force for good,” Morton said. “As students, we often focus on studio projects that remain on paper. But with FBD, we get to roll up our sleeves, partner with communities, and design solutions that change lives.”

A Leader in the Making

Morton is no stranger to leadership. He currently serves as President-Elect of K-State’s AIAS chapter, where he has helped foster a culture of collaboration and engagement among peers. His role as Chair will expand that impact beyond Manhattan, Kansas, giving him the chance to support student-led projects across the world.

In addition to his academic and leadership roles, Morton works as a Sustainability Intern at Treanor, a Kansas-based architecture firm known for its commitment to environmental stewardship. The position allows him to explore how sustainable strategies can be integrated into everyday practice—experience that dovetails with his passion for service-driven design.

Connecting Education and Community

The AIAS Freedom By Design program, established in 1999, has grown into a cornerstone of community engagement for architecture students nationwide. Morton’s selection as Chair of the Advisory Committee is both a recognition of his commitment and an opportunity to shape the next chapter of the program’s evolution.