FAA News

The ACSA, the Associated of Collegiate Schools of Architecture, held the conference "Intersections Research Conference: New Housing Paradigms" in Austin, TX. The conference highlighted small-scale housing design interventions that address housing inequities.

Lynne Dearborn of the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign was one of the organizers of a "Housing Studio Knowledge Sharing Workshop" along with Christina Bollo of the University of Oregon and Tom Collins of Ball State University. This workshop facilitated the exchange of pedagogical strategies among housing studio educators from North American institutions. The article also notes the creation of a new online platform called "Housing Design Teaching Network" to continue these conversations. This link is attached below.

The conference featured various speakers and initiatives including:

• Delta Design Build Workshop's work in rural Mississippi
• AIA Austin's Housing Advocacy Committee's policy reform
• Community First! Village tiny home development
• Collaborative housing studios focused on marginalized communities
• Historical architectural research on social housing
• Efforts by architects and educators to advance housing justice

The article details a new transdisciplinary program at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign called "Place Making and Rural Tourism in China." This program is one of two projects funded by the Global South Community-Based Learning Programs grant, an initiative of the university's Vision 2030 Global Strategy funded by the Office of the Provost.

The program consists of three interdisciplinary courses:

• ARCH 572 (Architecture) taught by Windy Zhao
• ARTD 499 (Art & Design) taught by Molly Briggs
• RST 594/199 (Recreation, Sport, and Tourism) taught by Sharon Zou

The program invites Illinois students to collaborate on developing architectural plans, tourism strategies, wayfinding plans, and place-making activities for Xihu Village in Jiangxi Province, China. In February 2025, students traveled to China for a week-long study abroad opportunity, while others completed related campus-based activities.

Each course contributes differently to the program:

• ARCH 572 focuses on creating innovative planning and design proposals
• ARTD 499 develops wayfinding and memory-making plans
• RST 199/594 explores community-based tourism development principles

The program is rooted in community-engaged, human-centered design and planning, with the goal of helping create a sustainable future for the village's residents and visitors. Rather than imposing solutions, the professors aim to work with local stakeholders to develop sustainable approaches based on cultural identity and evolving needs.

To the ISoA Academic Community: It is a distinct honor to announce that the Executive Committee voted unanimously to support Prof. Emeritus Jeff Poss’ nomination to bestow upon Art Kaha the Illinois Medal of Architecture. This prestigious accolade has been awarded since 1981 to distinguished alumni of the Illinois School of Architecture, and it recognizes a lifetime of dedication and excellence. Past recipients include Jeanne Gang (2024), Ralph Johnson (2022), Dina Griffin (2021), Carol Ross-Barney (2019), Cesar Pelli (2008), Jack Baker and Dick Williams (2007), Temple Hoyne Buell (2007) and Max Abramovitz (1987). The ceremony will take place at the Krannert Art Museum m on Wednesday, April 2nd, at 6:30pm. We would love for you to join at 6:00pm for hors d'oeuvres. I look forward to seeing you at the event to recognize our distinguished colleague. Sincerely, Director Francisco Rodriguez-Suarez

The Chicago Sukkah Design Festival is named the winner of the 2024 Roberta Feldman Architecture for Social Justice Award.

The University of Illinois announced this month that internationally recognized architect and School of Architecture alumna Jeanne Gang will serve as the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign’s 2024 commencement speaker.

The Fall 2023 Lecture Series is titled "Advocates Advocate" and showcases a global roster of designers. Lectures will be held Mondays at 6PM in Plym Auditorium unless otherwise noted.

Assistant Professor Joseph Altshuler's practice Could Be Design was named one of six winners of the 2023 Architectural League Prize for Young Architects + Designers.

Alumnus Ralph Johnson (BSAS ’71) established a new endowed professorship to support the school in attracting and retaining the most brilliant scholars in the field of architectural education.

The Spring 2023 Lectures Series theme is "Climate Fictions."

To learn more about the individual lectures, please visit the "Events" tab on our website.

The College of Fine and Applied Arts announces the 2021–22 Discover FAA High School Competitions for grades 9-12.