Research & Programs

CMU Selects Freedom By Design Home Weatherization Kit Project for Annual Crowdfunding Campaign

Freedom by Design’s Weatherization Kits are one of 12 projects featured in the annual CMU Crowdfunding Campaign. Each year, CMU highlights student projects that promote hands-on learning and impact the local community. Donations are being accepted now through December 3, 2019 at 11:59pm EST.

EX-CHANGE: A celebration of work at the School of Architecture – latest edition now in print!

Announcing the release of the 2019 edition of EX-CHANGE, a publication celebrating the work of the SoA from first year to PhD. Inaugurated in 2017, EX-CHANGE represents an ongoing opportunity to shine new light on the SoA programs and to position the work within larger questions of research and practice. Latest edition now available in print and online.

PhD Candidate Flore Marion Writes First Annual Pittsburgh Municipal Building Benchmarking Report

The first annual Pittsburgh Municipal Building Benchmarking Report, released last week, was written by PhD-BPD candidate Flore Marion. The Benchmarking Report is part of Pittsburgh's goal to eliminate water and energy waste and is a testament to the ways the SoA and City of Pittsburgh can work together to achieve shared goals.

Latest Advanced Synthesis Option Studios (ASOS) Catalog Now Available

Announcing the release of the 2019-2021 Advanced Synthesis Option Studios (ASOS) catalog. Released each year, the ASOS catalog contains descriptions of all the studios for Fall 2019, as well as information for the options in subsequent semesters. We are excited for the wide range of intriguing studios coming up this fall.

An Atlas of Commoning Exhibition Opens Sat 29 June at Miller ICA

The international premiere of An Atlas of Commoning opens Saturday 29 June at the Miller ICA at CMU. Curated by Associate Professor Stefan Gruber and fueled by the collaborative research and thesis projects of Master of Urban Design students, the exhibition explores how citizen-led initiatives can transform cities into more just and resilient places.

Kelly Li (B.Arch ’19) Competes in Princeton’s Environmental Ideathon

Recent alumna Kelly Li (B.Arch ’19) traveled to Princeton University this past April to participate in their Environmental Institute’s second annual Environmental Ideathon, a 36-hour workshop to brainstorm environmental strategies for cities around the world.

School of Architecture and School of Design Collaborate on Interdisciplinary Course “Postal Places”

This past semester, the School of Architecture and School of Design launched an interdisciplinary course to provide students from multiple disciplines the opportunity to explore linkages between community scale place-making and the postal system.

Professor Francesca Torello Selected to Participate in National Endowment for the Humanities Program

Adjunct Professor Francesca Torello, PhD has been selected to participate in a four-week program with the National Endowment for the Humanities Institute this July at Georgetown University in Washington, DC. “Museums: Humanities in the Public Sphere” approaches museums as sites for interdisciplinary inquiry that offer windows on today's educational, ethical, and cultural debates.

Alumna Carolina Tamayo (B.Arch ’17) Wins 2019 John Stewardson Memorial Fellowship in Architecture

The SoA congratulates alumna Carolina Tamayo (B.Arch ‘17), winner of the 2019 John Stewardson Memorial Fellowship in Architecture, and Elizabeth Levy (B.Arch ‘19), a top ten finalist. The Stewardson Fellowship is the oldest and most prestigious award for architecture students and graduates in Pennsylvania.

Registration Now Open for Spring K-12 Architectural Explorations Saturday Workshops

The workshops focus on skill building central to the architectural design process. The 8-week program is held on Saturdays beginning February 23 through May 4, 2019 from 9:30am-12:30pm on the CMU campus. Multiple child discounts and scholarships are available.

B.Arch Program Receives Maximum 8-Year NAAB Re-Accreditation, M.Arch Program Granted Initial Candidacy

The Bachelor of Architecture (B.Arch) program received the maximum allowable 8-year re-accreditation from the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB) this fall. Also in 2018, the Master of Architecture (M.Arch) degree program, re-introduced this past year, was granted initial candidacy.

Urban Design Build Studio Awarded State of Pennsylvania Impact Design Practice Honor during AIA PA 2018 Architectural Excellence Design Awards

The Urban Design Build Studio (UDBS) was awarded the 2018 State of Pennsylvania Impact Design Practice award as well as recognition for the REACH project during last night’s AIA Pennsylvania 2018 Architectural Excellence Design Awards ceremony. Fifth year B.Arch student Timothy Khalifa was also awarded a Student Award during the ceremony.

SoA Faculty and PhD-AECM Candidates Selected to Present at Design Thinking Research Symposium in South Korea

Professor Emeritus Ömer Akin and PhD-AECM candidates Shalini Priyadarshini and Nizar Eldaher have been selected to present their paper entitled “The Crux of the Matter: Tacit Knowledge Based Value Added Design” at the international conference Design Thinking Research Symposium (DTRS) in South Korea.