Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture /home/ Thu, 18 Jun 2026 19:12:18 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.0 /wp-content/uploads/2019/08/cropped-ACSA-Site-Icon-01-32x32.png Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture /home/ 32 32 University at Buffalo, SUNY /university-at-buffalo-suny-22/ Thu, 18 Jun 2026 14:20:54 +0000 /?p=77983 Students Help Construct “A Good Wall” for the Medina Triennial   On the front lawn of the historic Medina High School stands artist James Beckett’s largest North American project to date—a collaboration with the UB School of Architecture and Planning titled A Good Wall. It was conceived as part of the inaugural 2026 Medina Triennial, […]

The post University at Buffalo, SUNY appeared first on Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture.

]]>

Students Help Construct “A Good Wall” for the Medina Triennial

 

On the front lawn of the historic Medina High School stands artist James Beckett’s largest North American project to date—a collaboration with the UB School of Architecture and Planning titled A Good Wall. It was conceived as part of the inaugural , a site-responsive contemporary art exhibition that seeks to activate the landscapes and histories of Medina, NY, and the surrounding Western New York region.

Beckett is a research-based artist who explores overlooked histories concerned with industrial development and the built environment. His installations, works for public space, and other artworks have been exhibited at the 2015 Venice Biennale, MCAD Manila, The Stedelijk Museum, Amsterdam; MAAT Lisbon; and Centre Pompidou, Paris, among others.

A Good Wall is constructed from salvaged Medina sandstone—a material quarried extensively in the 19th century and still visible in buildings throughout Western New York and beyond. The wall’s design sandwiches the sandstone between two layers of limestone—an intentional choice by Beckett. Over time, natural acids released by the limestone will gradually weaken the sandstone, eventually causing the wall to collapse.

The collaboration began when Joyce Hwang, professor in the Department of Architecture and Medina Triennial board member, introduced Beckett to Nicholas Bruscia, assistant professor in the Department of Architecture. With a developing body of research combining natural materials with advanced visualization technologies, Bruscia was a natural partner to help realize Beckett’s vision.

To support the work, Bruscia dedicated a Spring 2026 ARC 404 studio to the effort, calling it “Digitizing and Designing Towards Spolia.” The term spolia refers to the reuse of stone materials from older structures—in this case, sandstone salvaged from demolished buildings, roads, and ashlar block walls. Some of the sandstone pieces even still contained evidence of their past use, like cornice fragments and windowsills. Fifteen senior students took part in the studio, co-led by Adjunct Instructor Timothy Noble.

The team of Beckett, Bruscia, and Noble not only created a thoughtful, well-crafted installation for the Medina Triennial, but they also delivered a meaningful hands-on learning experience for the students. Beckett met with them virtually almost weekly, inspiring the students to think differently, stretching their comfort zones, and making sure their voices were heard.

The studio offered those students a rare, immersive learning experience, exploring first-hand what it takes to see a project from concept to completion. They worked through every stage: building a foundation, drawing details for a permit set, collaborating with engineers, and ensuring the stability of a structure. Along the way, they also navigated the realities of working within an evolving design process, adapting to uncertainty and change—the type of environment they will likely experience in professional practice.

Ultimately, A Good Wall stands not only as a powerful installation, but also as a testament to collaboration, experimentation, and the power of design to connect past and future.

The post University at Buffalo, SUNY appeared first on Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture.

]]>
AALA June 2026 Column /aala-june-2026-column/ Wed, 17 Jun 2026 13:55:02 +0000 /?p=77958 The post AALA June 2026 Column appeared first on Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture.

]]>
.avia-section.av-k73rxuzi-45aab96773155d61ce56d9e07fb8b2e1{ background-repeat:no-repeat; background-image:url(/wp-content/uploads/ACSA-Bookstore-Hero-Image-300x94.jpg); background-position:0% 0%; background-attachment:scroll; }


June 17, 2026

AALA Column, June 2026

Association of Architecture Librarians and Archivists (AALA)

AALA Column, June 2026



Co-Editors Barbara Opar and Alisha Rall

Column by Barbara Opar



counter | balance

48thAnnual AALA Conference|– virtual – |May 27 – 29, 2026





The 48th Annual Association of Architecture Librarians and Archivists Conference was held online from May 27-29, 2026. The conference serves as an important communication and training venue for members. AALA truly enjoys meeting with ̽ѡ, but this year decided the virtual format would allow more members to participate. Indeed, there was a substantial increase in the attendance of new members. We were able to reach more librarians working in or interested in learning about architectural librarianship, including some unique aspects of the field.

The conference was designed to prepare members for addressing new and ongoing challenges. Digital posters, presentations, virtual tours and open and topical discussions addressed a wide variety of topics ranging from instruction partnerships between faculty and librarians, the changing landscape of collection development, to the possibilities and issues presented by artificial intelligence.

Specific sessions included the librarian’s role in architectural education, which ranges from helping to prepare students for e-portfolios submissions to supporting design research. Designing spaces to help facilitate the research process was another topic covered.

Participants learned about options for collecting, accessing and using Materials Libraries. The keynote conversation concerned architectural archives and was presented bilingually. Speakers from CEPT University in Ahmedabad, India, the Museo de Arquitectura Leopoldo Rother in Bogota, Colombia, as well as the University of Texas at Austin spoke to the content of their collections, how they are used, as well as hurdles faced.

Pascale Sablan, FAIA, Chief Executive Officer of Adjaye Associates’ New York Studio, delivered an engaging lecture and discussion session on her recent book, . Sablan discussed her ongoing activism, including exhibitions held in over fifty locations.

Conference Vendors

This conference was supported by several important library vendors. Thanks go to: Actar: UrbanNext, the Art and Architecture e-Portal, Charles Wood Bookseller, Jordan Antiques and Antiquarian, OnArchitecture, Pidgeon Digital, and The Plan Journal. Check out their information below.

OnArchitecture:


A & Aeportal:

Vendor video:


Pidgeon Digital:

Vendor video:


The Plan Journal:

Vendor Video:


Actar: urbanNext:


Jordan Antiques & Antiquarian Books:


Charles B. Wood Antiquarian Books:



Their support enabled us to provide a robust, low-cost learning opportunity to our members.

The post AALA June 2026 Column appeared first on Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture.

]]>
Penn State /penn-state-50/ Wed, 10 Jun 2026 21:00:36 +0000 /?p=77927 Pinto Duarte Named Interim Head of Department of Architecture   UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. —José Pinto Duarte, Stuckeman Chair in Design Innovation and director of the Stuckeman Center for Design Computing (SCDC) at Penn State, has been appointed interim head of the Department of Architecture in the Stuckeman School, College of Arts and Architecture, effective July […]

The post Penn State appeared first on Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture.

]]>
Pinto Duarte Named Interim Head of Department of Architecture

 

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. —, Stuckeman Chair in Design Innovation and director of the Stuckeman Center for Design Computing (SCDC) at Penn State, has been appointed interim head of the Department of Architecture in the Stuckeman School, College of Arts and Architecture, effective July 1.

He takes over for Frank Jacobus, who was recently named director of the Knowlton School at Ohio State University after spending three years as the architecture department head at the Stuckeman School.

“We are deeply grateful to Frank for his leadership as department head in architecture and for his many contributions to the school and college,” said Chingwen Cheng, Stuckeman School director. “We are also grateful to José for his leadership in the SCDC and for the important role he plays across the architecture, graphic design and landscape architecture communities at the Stuckeman School. His experience, collegiality and demonstrated leadership make him exceptionally well-suited to serve as interim department head in architecture and to help guide the department through the 2026-27 academic year.”

A professor of architecture and landscape architecture at Penn State since 2016, Pinto Duarte is an affiliate professor of architectural engineering and engineering design. He co-founded the Penn State Additive Construction Laboratory and X-Hab 3D, leading initiatives in digital architecture and building information modeling.

“José has been instrumental to the sustained success of the SCDC and has been an integral member of the architecture and landscape architecture faculty over the past 10 years,” said Cheng. “With his extensive academic experience and deep commitment to the Stuckeman School, we are grateful for his willingness to step up and provide leadership during this transition.”

Pinto Duarte said he looks forward to working with colleagues to “support the department’s continuity, strengthen connections across the Stuckeman School, and maintain the conditions that allow our faculty, staff and students to thrive.”

“I see this interim role as an opportunity to serve the department with care and attentiveness — supporting stability, fostering open communication, and building on the strong culture of collaboration that defines architecture at Penn State,” Pinto Duarte said.

Pinto Duarte co-led the Penn State team that experienced tremendous success in the NASA 3D-printed Mars Habitat Challenge, including ain the third phase of the competition in 2019. He has numerous honors and awards to his name and has presented his work at both national and international conferences.

Prior to his arrival at Penn State, Pinto Duarte served as dean of the School of Architecture at the Technical University of Lisbon (now University of Lisbon). He also taught in the Department of Architecture at the School of Architecture and Planning at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where he helped to establish the MIT–Portugal program.

Pinto Duarte is a past president of eCAADe – education and research in Computer-Aided Architectural Design in Europe.

The post Penn State appeared first on Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture.

]]>
Tulane University /tulane-university-66/ Fri, 05 Jun 2026 17:22:42 +0000 /?p=77897 Tulane University Launches Sustainable Urbanism Major and Minor   The Tulane School of Architecture and Built Environment has launched a new Sustainable Urbanism undergraduate program. Offering both a major and a minor, the program equips students with the knowledge and skills to analyze and address the environmental, social, and economic challenges shaping cities today. Rooted […]

The post Tulane University appeared first on Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture.

]]>

Tulane University Launches Sustainable Urbanism Major and Minor

 

The Tulane School of Architecture and Built Environment has launched a new undergraduate program. Offering both a major and a minor, the program equips students with the knowledge and skills to analyze and address the environmental, social, and economic challenges shaping cities today. Rooted in the principles of urbanism and sustainability, the program trains students to study the built environment and its impact on human well-being and ecological systems.

As the global urban population rises — projected to reach 68% by 2050 — cities face mounting challenges, including housing affordability, climate resilience, environmental degradation, and social inequality. The Sustainable Urbanism Program takes an interdisciplinary approach to these issues, drawing from fields such as urban planning, environmental studies, architecture, sociology, political science, landscape architecture, and social innovation. Students will explore how cities develop, how they function, and how they can be improved—all while developing strategies to make urban environments more socially just, universally accessible, and environmentally responsible.

A key emphasis of the program is its alignment with global sustainability frameworks, including the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the Paris Agreement, and the United Nations Urban Agendas for 2030 and 2050. Courses will examine sustainable city-making practices, climate action, green infrastructure, disaster resilience, and policies that support equity and inclusion in urban spaces. Through both theoretical study and applied research, students will learn to propose urban development pathways that promote environmental and social justice while ensuring cities remain vibrant, livable, and adaptable to change.

The major consists of 40 credit hours, while the minor requires a minimum of 18 credit hours, allowing students to combine their studies with other disciplines or take advantage of study-abroad opportunities. The curriculum integrates practical research methodologies, including urban data analysis, GIS mapping, stakeholder engagement, and representational design tools. By combining quantitative and qualitative research methods, students will develop the skills necessary to evaluate urban challenges and design innovative, actionable solutions.

Beyond the classroom, the program prioritizes hands-on learning through collaborative research projects, internships, and partnerships with local and international organizations. By working alongside community stakeholders, students will engage with real-world urban issues such as disaster preparedness, housing accessibility, transportation infrastructure, and climate resilience.

Details on the program are posted .

The post Tulane University appeared first on Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture.

]]>
University at Buffalo, SUNY /university-at-buffalo-suny-21/ Thu, 04 Jun 2026 16:52:57 +0000 /?p=77889 Winning Team Selected in the University at Buffalo’s Resilient Campus Design Competition   The University at Buffalo’s School of Architecture and Planning has selected thewinner of The Resilient Campus, an international design competition. The final team submissions were showcased in an exhibition at Crosby Hall on UB’s South Campus before traveling to the Aedes architecture […]

The post University at Buffalo, SUNY appeared first on Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture.

]]>
Winning Team Selected in the University at Buffalo’s Resilient Campus Design Competition

 

The University at Buffalo’s School of Architecture and Planning has selected thewinner of The Resilient Campus, an international design competition. The final team submissions were showcased in an exhibition at Crosby Hall on UB’s South Campus before traveling to the Aedes architecture gallery in Berlin. The upcoming fall symposium at UB will critique the work through different disciplinary frameworks — considering climate change, biodiversity loss and human vulnerability, and how these design strategies can be replicable across all scales of the built environment.

The team of LTL Architects + Nelson Byrd Woltz Landscape Architects + Derive Engineers was awarded first place. Stoss Landscape Urbanism + Höweler Yoon Architecture placed second and MASS + EinwillerKuehl + SITELAB Urban Studio + Second Nature Ecology + Design placed third. MVRDV + RIOS received an honorable mention for their experimental visualizations.

“I extend my sincere gratitude to all of the teams for the creativity and intelligence they brought to this competition,” says Julia Czerniak, competition coordinator and dean of the School of Architecture and Planning. “The entries represent remarkable use of new building materials, strategies for carbon reduction, prioritization of biodiversity, use of innovative visualizations and even the development of new tools — all guided by knowledge of UB’s South Campus, our city and region. Using UB as a test site, this work truly advances designing for resilience.”

launched in August of last year, with seven teams selected to compete and focus on two scales: campus and building. At the campus scale, teams had to develop and apply strategies for an ecologically robust, resilient landscape for UB’s South Campus. At the building scale, teams developed and applied an adaptive strategy for a portion of the existing Health Sciences Complex and a schematic approach to a university-assisted public school.

“The winning project, ‘Field Studies: Growing a Biogenic Campus,’ reimagines South Campus as a productive landscape shaped by geothermal wells, productive forests and buildings grown from biogenic construction materials,” says Charles Waldheim, chair of the competition jury and professor at the Graduate School of Design at Harvard University. “Their proposal conceives of campus resilience through circular economies of plant materials and their infrastructures shaping a robust public forest landscape.”

Stoss Landscape Urbanism + Höweler Yoon Architecture’s proposal, “Campus Entanglements: Protocols for Learning,” presented an atlas of landscape and architectural types to guide the long-term transformation of the South Campus, earning them second place, explains Jason Sowell, associate professor in the School of Architecture and Planning and the competition adviser.

The third-place proposal, “Our Future is a Forest,” developed by MASS + EinwillerKuehl + SITELAB Urban Studio + Second Nature Ecology + Design, reimagined the campus through afforestation, positioning a renewed forest landscape as both ecological infrastructure and an expanded educational resource for human and nonhuman communities.

The competing teams and their faculty liaisons and student assistants included:

  • STOSS Landscape Urbanism + Höweler Yoon Architecture
    Faculty Liaison: Maia Peck
    Student Assistants: Janice Ng, Edwin Sanchez Rodriguez, Ethan Ikegami
  • OBRA Architects + LOLA Landscape Architects
    Faculty Liaison: Jon Spielman
    Student Assistants: Ryan Bingham, Ben Jellinick
  • MVRDV + RIOS
    Faculty Liaison: Randy Fernando
    Student Assistants: Lydia Diboun, Kaya Jost, Gianni Rinaudo
  • MASS + EinwillerKuehl + SITELAB Urban Studio + Second Nature Ecology and Design
    Faculty Liaisons: Joyce Hwang, Hiro Hata
    Student Assistants: Ryan Mellen, Ashley Johnson, Will Sundell
  • LTL Architects + Nelson Byrd Woltz Landscape Architects + Derive Engineers
    Faculty Liaisons: Kristine Stiphany, Nick Bruscia
    Student Assistants: Berkan Sari, Gennaro Rovello, Allison Lavis, Shruti Kunadia
  • Barkow Leibinger + TOPOTEK1 + Transsolar KlimaEngineering + Guy Nordenson and Associates
    Faculty Liaisons: Martha Bohm, Mohamed Aly Etman
    Student Assistants: Danny Escandon, Jamie Jiang, Sukriti Sharma
  • ASPECT Studios + Woods Bagot Architecture + Dr. Jillian Walliss
    Faculty Liaison: Elaine Chow
    Student Assistants: Alec Pitillo, Ester Rafailova, Daniel Syperski

The post University at Buffalo, SUNY appeared first on Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture.

]]>
̽ѡ Special Committee Executive Summary Report /acsa-special-committee-executive-summary-report/ Thu, 21 May 2026 14:24:00 +0000 /?p=77768 The post ̽ѡ Special Committee Executive Summary Report appeared first on Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture.

]]>
.avia-section.av-k73rxuzi-acf07e0fcd175b607287ab6ab376b620{ background-repeat:no-repeat; background-image:url(/wp-content/uploads/College-and-Career-Events-Header.jpg); background-position:0% 0%; background-attachment:scroll; }


May 21, 2026

̽ѡ Special Committee Executive Summary Report

̽ѡ Special Committee Executive Summary Report



May 21, 2026

̽ѡ has published an executive summary of the final report from a Special Committee established by the Board of Directors to review ̽ѡ scholarly programs and to recommend changes to policies and practices. The committee is the second of two major steps ̽ѡ announced to reset the organization’s member and scholarly programs following the Board’s decision in February 2025 to halt publication of the Journal of Architectural Education’s Fall 2026 issue. The first step was an independent assessment by a scholarly publishing consultant of the ̽ѡ board’s decision processes and the journal’s editorial policies.

The Special Committee of eight scholar-educators reviewed the consultant’s confidential report as well as other ̽ѡ governance and policy documents. They also met with a higher education lawyer who had not previously advised the ̽ѡ Board. Following six months of work, the committee delivered its final report in March, and its co-chairs met with the ̽ѡ board on March 29.

At the board’s request, the co-chairs drafted the executive summary for distribution to the ̽ѡ community.

In an email message to the ̽ѡ membership, ̽ѡ President José L.S. Gámez thanked the Special Committee members for their dedicated work and candor, and invited members to review the executive summary and the initial steps ̽ѡ is taking as a result of the committee’s work. President Gámez noted the organization will continue to explore how best to integrate the committee’s recommendations into ̽ѡ’s programs and services, and will continue to communicate and solicit feedback.


Questions


The post ̽ѡ Special Committee Executive Summary Report appeared first on Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture.

]]>
2026 Call For Volunteers: ̽ѡ Committees and Task Forces /2026-call-for-volunteers-acsa-committees-and-task-forces/ Wed, 13 May 2026 20:58:53 +0000 /?p=77668 The post 2026 Call For Volunteers: ̽ѡ Committees and Task Forces appeared first on Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture.

]]>
.avia-section.av-k73rxuzi-acf07e0fcd175b607287ab6ab376b620{ background-repeat:no-repeat; background-image:url(/wp-content/uploads/College-and-Career-Events-Header.jpg); background-position:0% 0%; background-attachment:scroll; }


May 13, 2026

Call for Volunteers: ̽ѡ Committees and Task Forces

Call for Volunteers

̽ѡ Committees and Task Forces



The ̽ѡ Board of Directors invites applications from faculty at full, candidate, and affiliate member schools to participate in 2026-2027 ̽ѡ committees, task forces, and other activities. These appointments include ̽ѡ’s three Program Committees, explained below.

Volunteer appointments are initiated by the 2026-2027 ̽ѡ President, June Williamson. Appointments are for one year beginning July 2026, and are typically eligible for renewal.

Committees will work primarily through conference calls during the academic year. This year, we plan to hold an in-person meeting of Program Committees on August 5-6, 2026. (Funding for travel will be provided by ̽ѡ.) Committees have also convened at the Administrators Conference and Annual Meeting.

To Apply

, which includes completing and uploading our Volunteer Application Form, which simply confirms you have completed (or reviewed and updated) a faculty profile in ̽ѡ’s database. The deadline for applications is June 17, 2026.

̽ѡ seeks to include members from a range of backgrounds, including race/ethnicity, gender, school type, and teaching.

̽ѡ Program Committee Opportunities

The ̽ѡ board relies on three Program Committees to engage members and carry out the goals of the strategic plan through webinars, reports, surveys, recommendations to the board, etc. Charges for each of the Program Committees are included below.

̽ѡ’s work is guided by its strategic plan, most recently revised by the Board in 2025. The new strategic plan emphasizes two strategic commitments: building a Strong Field and providing an enriching and inclusive professional home for architectural educators

The charges of the three Program Committees are as follows. Members are encouraged to follow the links to review more information on outcomes of this work.

  • The Research & Scholarship Committee is charged with leading ̽ѡ’s efforts to support faculty in scholarly endeavors; monitoring and assessing peer-review and recognition programs, and recommending actions to advocate for architectural scholarship. In 2026-27, the committee will continue to work on supporting the Academy for Public Scholarship in the Built Environment with the aim of developing our members’ capacity to disseminate the products of their work. The committee will also focus on implementing recommendations from the 2025-26 Special Committee around scholarly programs.
  • The Education Committee is charged with leading ̽ѡ’s efforts to improve the effectiveness of architectural education through best practices and overseeing programs to cultivate and disseminate these best practices. In 2026-27, the committee will examine opportunities beyond first professional degrees: post-professional programs, specializations, certificates, continuing education, as well as the educational missions of these programs beyond preparation for practice.
  • The Leadership Committee is charged with leading ̽ѡ’s efforts to support the strategic development of architecture programs; identifying and disseminating best-practice models of program leadership and administration, and overseeing ̽ѡ’s efforts to promote awareness of architectural education. In 2026-27, the committee will examine ̽ѡ engagement with program administrators at member schools, how to support them, and provide the best value for administrators in both accredited and non-accredited programs.

Questions


Hanifah Jones
Digital Marketing & Communications Manager
202-785-2324
hjones@acsa-arch.org

The post 2026 Call For Volunteers: ̽ѡ Committees and Task Forces appeared first on Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture.

]]>
Social Change and Innovation at the 2026 AASA/ACSA International Conference /social-change-and-innovation-at-the-2026-aasa-acsa-international-conference/ Thu, 07 May 2026 14:06:14 +0000 /?p=77526 The post Social Change and Innovation at the 2026 AASA/ACSA International Conference appeared first on Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture.

]]>
.avia-section.av-k73rxuzi-b3a939a318fffcd945adc2d00071a1d6{ background-color:#e9a522; background-image:unset; }


May 07, 2026

Social Change and Innovation at the 2026 AASA/ACSA International Conference

PRESS RELEASE

Social Change and Innovation at the 2026 AASA/ACSA International Conference


For Immediate Release:

Washington, D.C., May 7, 2026 — The and the Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture (̽ѡ) are excited to announce the keynote speakers for the 2026 AASA/ACSA International Conference: Elizabeth Bowie Christoforetti and Jacob Reidel; David Kaunitz and Ka Wai Yeung of Kaunitz Yeung Architecture; and Marni Reti.Under the theme of Planetary Practice: Architecture of a Shared Global Future, the 2026 AASA/ACSA International Conference will convene architectural researchers, educators, and practitioners to investigate how design can respond to today’s urgent and interconnected global challenges.

The conference will take place in Magandjin–Meanjin (Brisbane), the capital city of Queensland, Australia, as well as on the Gold Coast, July 8-11, 2026. Sessions will take place at , , and . Conference participants will have access to thought-provoking research sessions, networking opportunities, and exciting events, including tours of architectural projects and cultural landmarks. Along with exciting activities, conference attendees will have the opportunity to attend keynote sessions delivered by distinguished architectural educators and practitioners who are driving meaningful change in the built environment. Read on to learn more about the esteemed keynote speakers.

The conference will commence on Thursday, July 9, with concurrent sessions, and that evening, the opening keynote address will be presented by acclaimed architects Elizabeth Bowie Christoforetti and Jacob Reidel.

Elizabeth Bowie Christoforetti is an associate professor in practice of architecture at the where she directs the . She is also the founding principal of , an architecture and urban design studio based in Cambridge, MA. She founded Supernormal to create meaningful and practical change through the intersection of architecture, urbanism, technology, and contemporary culture. Elizabeth’s work joins a perspective of radical pragmatism with a deep value for the potential of design imagination and architectural intelligence.

Jacob Reidel is founder and director of , an independent research and advisory platform dedicated to studying and advancing the systems that organize architectural practice—from firms and professional organizations to licensure, regulation, instruments of service, and project delivery models—and the ways these systems shape the capacity of architects to address contemporary local and global challenges. From 2019 to 2025, Reidel served as Assistant Professor in Practice of Architecture at the Harvard University Graduate School of Design, where he taught courses on professional practice, exploring new models of practice, and examining how architectural organizations operate and deliver projects.

The AASA/ACSA International Conference will conclude on Saturday, July 11, on the Gold Coast at Bond University, with a closing keynote delivered by David Kaunitz, Ka Wai Yeung, and Marni Reti of Kaunitz Yeung Architecture.

David Kaunitz is an architect and co-founder of , an Australian practice internationally recognised for community-led design with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities across remote and regional contexts. Over more than two decades, Kaunitz’s work has focused on health, aged care, housing, and cultural projects that integrate architecture with Country, culture, and community governance. David is also an Associate Professor of Practice at the University of Sydney, where he teaches Indigenous-led co-design and socially responsive architecture.

Ka Wai Yeung co-founded Kaunitz Yeung Architecture to create socially responsible, culturally sensitive, and humane architecture. At the heart of her work is a deep commitment to co-design and co-building with local communities. Together with her team, she has demonstrated how architecture can empower people, sensitively integrate with Country, and maximise social impact at every stage of the process. She has had the privilege of working with Indigenous communities across Australia and throughout the Pacific. Kawai is dedicated to supporting the continuation of heritage and culture, and to bridging social gaps, with a particular focus on health and aged care, cultural and arts centres, schools, and housing.

Marni Reti is a proud Palawa and Ngāti Wai woman, born and raised on Gadigal, D’harawal and Bidjigal Country with ties to Redfern, Waterloo and wider inner-city/inner-west Aboriginal communities. She is a registered architect in NSW. Leti was previously an Associate at Kaunitz Yeung Architecture, with whom she still collaborates closely. She currently holds a position as Senior Lecturer at USYD. She has long been an advocate for the respectful incorporation of Indigenous knowledge into architectural education and practice, with an academic and professional career dedicated to participatory design with community and Country to amplify culture.

Kaunitz Yeung Architecture has received numerous national and international awards, including the UIA Vassilis Sgoutas Prize for architecture serving impoverished communities and the Vassilis Sgoutas Prize from the UIA for their contribution to improving living conditions for underprivileged communities.

Discover the exciting lineup of tours designed to bring Queensland’s architecture and landscape to life. On Wednesday, July 8, participants will set out on a ferry journey to North Stradbroke Island, where they’ll experience notable architectural projects along the way, including a site designed by Kaunitz Yeung Architecture. On Friday, July 10, attendees can join a special walking tour at the iconic Centenary Pool and hear about its transformation as it prepares to host events for the 2032 Olympics. Then, on Sunday, July 12, participants will explore the city on an architectural walking tour featuring a dynamic mix of cultural landmarks and contemporary design.

Join ̽ѡ and AASA in Brisbane, Queensland, to be a part of these inspiring keynote presentations. Planetary Practice will unite attendees from across the world to share, question, and reimagine the role of design in relation to the shared conditions of our world.




̽ѡ the Association of Architecture Schools of Australasia (AASA)
The Association of Architecture Schools of Australasia (AASA) has provided leadership and advocacy for architecture education in the Australasian region since 1999. The Association of Architecture Schools of Australasia identifies, develops and supports quality professional undergraduate and graduate education of architects and related professions; research, scholarship, and creative work in relation to architecture and the designed environment; and policy, community service, and professional activities in relation to architecture education. The AASA became an incorporated association on 10 July 2020 and is an International Affiliate Member of the Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture (ASCA). For more information, visit .

̽ѡ the Association of Collegiate Schools in Architecture (̽ѡ)
The mission of the Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture is to lead architectural education and research. Founded in 1912 by 10 charter members, ̽ѡ is an international association of architecture schools preparing future architects, designers, and change agents. ̽ѡ’s full members include all of the accredited professional degree programs in the United States and Canada, as well as international schools and 2- and 4-year programs. Together, ̽ѡ schools represent 7,000 faculty educating more than 40,000 students. ̽ѡ seeks to empower faculty and schools to educate increasingly diverse students, expand disciplinary impacts, and create knowledge for the advancement of architecture. For more information, visit www.acsa-arch.org.

̽ѡ the Brisbane Economic Development Agency (BEDA)
The Brisbane Economic Development Agency (BEDA) drives the sustainable economic growth of the city. As Brisbane’s champion, BEDA works closely with government and private sector organisations to enhance and promote the city’s reputation globally and drive demand for Brisbane. For more information, visit .

̽ѡ Queensland University of Technology (QUT)
Queensland University of Technology (QUT) is an ambitious institution, with a growing research output focused on technology and innovation. The QUT School of Architecture and Built Environment aims to address social, economic, technical, health and environmental challenges in diverse architectural, construction and planning projects in urban and regional contexts. The University prepares students for successful careers as architects, planners, designers, analysts, and construction managers, helping build and understand emerging urban spaces. For more information, visit .

̽ѡ Griffith University
Griffith is a purpose-driven, values-led university focused on creating impact where it matters most. Since 1975, the University’s teaching and research have been shaped by a commitment to social justice, environmental sustainability, and inclusive access to education. Today, those ideals are more important than ever. From pioneering research and student entrepreneurship to supporting Indigenous flourishing and expanding access to education through online learning, Griffith University is continuously adding to its history of making a difference in the world around us. For more information, visit .

̽ѡ Bond University
The Bond University Abedian School of Architecture aims to be a leading design-driven professional school, characterised by an international outlook and motivated by the goal of graduating architects capable of leading and shifting the direction of future practice. While ensuring to strengthen fundamental disciplinary competencies, the School actively seeks to operate in the expanding diversification of the field occurring in response to technological innovation, environmental considerations, and the changing needs of society; engaging with these developments with regard to their design potential and impact. In prioritising design, the School creates an atmosphere of intense collaboration, engagement, and experimentation, fueled by an open discussion that is driven by academic staff and distinguished invited practitioners and professors. For more information, visit .

Media Contacts

Requests for press materials, including high-resolution images, can be obtained from our media contacts.

̽ѡ Media Contact:
Hanifah Jones
hjones@acsa-arch.org

The post Social Change and Innovation at the 2026 AASA/ACSA International Conference appeared first on Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture.

]]>
Department of Education Releases the Final Rule on Student Loans /department-of-education-releases-the-final-rule-on-student-loans/ Fri, 01 May 2026 14:01:16 +0000 /?p=77461 The post Department of Education Releases the Final Rule on Student Loans appeared first on Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture.

]]>
.avia-section.av-k73rxuzi-acf07e0fcd175b607287ab6ab376b620{ background-repeat:no-repeat; background-image:url(/wp-content/uploads/College-and-Career-Events-Header.jpg); background-position:0% 0%; background-attachment:scroll; }


May 1, 2026

Department of Education Releases the Final Rule on Student Loans

Department of Education Releases the Final Rule on Student Loans



The U.S. Department of Education has published final regulations for federal student loan programs. The regulations preserve the list of professional degrees eligible for higher annual and lifetime loan caps. Architecture did not have its status changed, nor did any other field. Student loan limits for graduate degrees remain at the lower limits proposed earlier this year. However, as a result of a separate law passed by Congress the Graduate PLUS loan program will end effective July 1, 2026, significantly reducing available funding for federal student loans. This rule directly affects students pursuing graduate professional architecture degrees.


Thanks to hundreds of comments from stakeholders in architecture and design, our collective action did not go unnoticed. As quoted from the rule, “The Department received extensive comments from deans of architecture programs, accrediting and professional organizations, students, and practitioners urging us to include architecture, and in some instances, landscape architecture, in the list of professional degrees.” The responds directly to architecture and design on five topics, but the Department remained immovable on the argument that these changes to student loans will negatively impact architecture students and the profession.


While the outcome was not what we hoped, this collective action demonstrates that we are stronger when we advocate together. We know this rule will create new financial barriers that threaten both access to the profession and future pathways to the practice of architecture. ̽ѡ research over the past decade shows that the greatest impact will be felt by groups historically underrepresented within the profession.


As information becomes available regarding the Department’s negotiated rulemaking, we will continue to keep you abreast of ̽ѡ’s advocacy around issues impacting higher education.

The post Department of Education Releases the Final Rule on Student Loans appeared first on Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture.

]]>
Penn State /penn-state-49/ Tue, 28 Apr 2026 19:52:15 +0000 /?p=77425 Multidisciplinary Student Team Wins Intergenerational Design Competition   UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — A team of Penn State undergraduate and graduate students from the College of Arts and Architecture’s Stuckeman School and the Ross and Carol Nese College of Nursing tied for first place in the International Intergenerational Community Design Competition. The team included John Akudugu, […]

The post Penn State appeared first on Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture.

]]>
Multidisciplinary Student Team Wins Intergenerational Design Competition

 

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — A team of Penn State undergraduate and graduate students from the College of Arts and Architecture’s Stuckeman School and the Ross and Carol Nese College of Nursing tied for first place in the International Intergenerational Community Design Competition.

The team included John Akudugu, a nursing graduate student; Behnoud Alaghband, an architecture graduate student; Rojina Azadi, a graphic design graduate student; Yuri Moros, an undergraduate landscape architecture student; and Mohammed Rezvan, an architecture graduate student focusing on landscape architecture.

Titled “Interwoven Ages: Designing Age-Responsive Public Environments for Coexistence and Interaction,” the team’s winning submission built upon the design for which the teamin the Stuckeman School’s Intergenerational Design Innovation Challenge in January.

“We developed the project by building upon both internal concepts and external feedback that we received from the jurors [in January],” said the team. “This feedback helped us refine both the design content and the graphical presentation as an integrated process.”

Central to the team’s winning submission was prioritizing social interaction among the people that make use of Sidney Friedman Park in State College. Also paramount to the team’s design was aiming to ensure that the interactions between people in the park felt natural, not forced.

The team took a layered approach to their design plan with different park areas dedicated to specific user groups, which were identified as mono-generational, multi-generational and inter-generational spaces. Examples of mono-generational spaces include an “Older Adults Activity Room” and a “Youth Gaming Lounge,” which are intended to help reduce anxiety and encourage participation among users.

The team also incorporated central hubs for interaction between park visitors, which include features such as an “Intergenerational Café Garden” and a “Shared Outdoor Workshop.” The design features “Community Fruit Gardens,” which represent a symbolic “living cycle” — harvesting what the previous generation planted while planting for the next.

According to the team, the entire system is informed by universal design principles, ensuring equitable access, intuitive navigation and usability across diverse ages, abilities and mobility levels without requiring adaptation or specialized design.

The plan was designed to be a replicable model for other urban environments while supporting the University’s mission to lead as an “Age-Friendly University,” said the team, “turning a demographic challenge into a public design opportunity.”

The Penn State team tied with a team from Marymount University for first-place honors.

Team members said they were honored and excited to have received first place. For several it was their first experience participating in a multidisciplinary design competition, as well as their first time collaborating within a fully transdisciplinary team and receiving an international award.

“Beyond the result itself, the most valuable aspect of the experience has been the feedback received from both expert jurors and public audiences, which helped strengthen the project through iterative reflection and critique,” said the team members. “Building on our earlier recognition at the Stuckeman School’s Intergenerational Design Innovation Challenge, this achievement reflects the growth of our collaborative process and the strength of integrating nursing, architecture, landscape architecture and graphic design.”

The reviewers for the competition were Mei Fang, assistant professor in urban aging at Simon Fraser University; Sinan Zhong, assistant professor in the Department of Landscape Architecture and Urban Planning at Texas A&M University; David Rouse, an urban planner and landscape architect; Irv Katz, senior fellow emeritus at Generations United; and Matt Kaplan, professor of intergenerational programs and aging at Penn State.

According to the reviewers, the Penn State submission “is a highly sophisticated and well-integrated proposal that stands out for its strong theoretical grounding, transdisciplinary collaboration and clear translation of research into spatial design. Its strength lies in its ability to balance complexity with clarity, offering a compelling model for age-responsive public environments.”

The competition was held in coordination with the Stuckeman School, the Stuckeman School’s Hamer Center for Community Design and the Penn State Intergenerational Program (rooted in Penn State Extension). The Stockton Center on Successful Aging served as cosponsor of the competition, which was organized as a pre-conference event for the, June 3-5 at Stockton University’s Atlantic City campus.

The post Penn State appeared first on Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture.

]]>