What Distinguishes Us
The faculty and students in the David R. Ravin School of Architecture participate in a wide range of funded and non-funded research, scholarship, and creative and professional activities. Most of it is collaborative and interdisciplinary. Faculty engage researchers within the School as well as in the fine and performing arts within the College of Arts + Architecture. They also engage a number of civic and cultural institutions. Several participate in research projects in disciplines across campus, including engineering, geography, and computer science. Sponsored activities include urban design studies for local and regional municipalities and community groups, high performance building and optimization protocols, daylighting and energy analysis, digital design and fabrication components, and interactive visualization.
The work of faculty, students, and staff at the David R. Ravin School of Architecture is characterized by six interrelated areas of distinction that contribute to the future of the architectural discipline. Together, these areas of distinction contribute to our goals of linking academic excellence and access, preparing students to be entrepreneurial change agents, and expanding the disciplinary capacities of architecture in advancing social, technological, and environmental justice.
SIX areas of distinction
Applied Critical History
extends the role of history beyond the classroom, engaging fundamental issues of cultural significance via new critical interpretations and speculative design proposals.
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Emergent Material Practices
envision untapped possibilities for conventional building products/ systems and applications for new ones, seeking to expand the design, function, and technical capacities of architectural materials.
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Regenerative Systems Design
consists of biologically attuned methods, substances, and assemblies that expand building construction’s standard material palette and increase the environmental performance of architecture.
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Social Justice Futures
imagine design’s capacity to support equity, inclusivity, and antiracism as an emboldened, speculative project.
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The Computed Environment
considers the relationship between atoms and bits at all scales, developing design and experiential opportunities at the intersection of AR, VR, AI, IoT, and robotics.
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The Engaged City
explores a set of tactical urban design practices involving new approaches to community engagement, analysis, and the design of metropolitan regions.
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