College of Architecture and Urban Studies

Interdisciplinary student teams present out-of-this-world textiles to NASA

Fri, 17 May 2013 00:00:00 -0400

Students from the College of Architecture and Urban Studies and the College of Engineering collaborated on textile-based challenges for NASA and recently presented their concepts during the Wearable Technology Symposium at the Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas.

Architecture students present winning designs at Council of Educational Facility Planners Conference

Thu, 16 May 2013 00:00:00 -0400

Students in a third-year architecture studio presented their middle school designs during the Virginia Educational Facility Planners' annual conference in Richmond, Va., as part of a six-week competition.

Graduate profile: Architecture student wants to use design to improve lives

Thu, 16 May 2013 00:00:00 -0400

Erin Sanchez not only lives her own life to the fullest, she is driven to improve the lives of others. As she graduates with a Bachelor of Architecture, she says that through her experiences at Virginia Tech she has discovered ways that she can apply her education to make people's lives better.

Graduation countdown: As students complete exams, preparations for 2013 spring commencement ceremonies are underway

Mon, 13 May 2013 00:00:00 -0400

Virginia Tech will provide live streaming video of both the Graduate School Commencement and University Commencement ceremonies off the university homepage.

Graduate profile: Study abroad scholarship winner will return to France after graduation

Fri, 10 May 2013 00:00:00 -0400

Diego Arias-Caballero, winner of the Robert Turner Fontainebleau Study Abroad Scholarship, will return to France this summer after earning a prestigious award for his work during the 2012 summer academy. Arias-Caballero will graduate with his masters of architecture on May 17.

Two years after the earthquake: Japanese photography exhibition May 11–13

Thu, 09 May 2013 00:00:00 -0400

Following the earthquake and tsunami in March 2011, a Japanese organization provided the residents of a small town with cameras to document their experiences. The resulting images show the devastation and the ongoing recovery of a community from the perspectives of citizens.

General education curriculum revision proposal for undergraduate students available for the university community to review and provide feedback

Tue, 07 May 2013 00:00:00 -0400

The "Proposal for an Integrated General Education Curriculum at Virginia Tech" emerged from a series of discussions held by faculty, students, and staff over the past three years, as there was a call for change to the current Curriculum for Liberal Education.

In memoriam: Dean Carter, professor emeritus of art and art history, College of Architecture and Urban Studies

Fri, 03 May 2013 00:00:00 -0400

Dean Carter, who taught sculpture, drawing and art history at Virginia Tech for 42 years, died May 2.

Lisa Tucker receives 2013 Alumni Award for Excellence in Teaching

Fri, 03 May 2013 00:00:00 -0400

Since 2009, more than 20 of Lisa Tucker's students have received awards in national and international design competitions.

Team of faculty and students advances to final round in Casey Trees Foundation competition

Thu, 02 May 2013 00:00:00 -0400

A multidiciplinary team made up of faculty and students from three colleges at Virginia Tech is among four teams in the final round that will present master plan designs to the Casey Tree Foundation.

Swiss science and technology counselor Christoph Ebell to deliver 2013 Graduate School Commencement address

Thu, 02 May 2013 00:00:00 -0400

The Graduate School Commencement ceremony will begin at 8:30 a.m. in Cassell Coliseum. Approximately 1,000 Virginia Tech graduate students are expected to complete their degree requirements this spring and participate in the ceremony.

Virginia Tech President Charles W. Steger to give 2013 University Commencement address May 17

Wed, 01 May 2013 00:00:00 -0400

University Commencement will begin at noon. More than 5,000 graduates will be honored at this ceremony. The ceremony will be streamed live on the university homepage.

Nikki Giovanni announces Steger Poetry Prize winners

Tue, 23 Apr 2013 00:00:00 -0400

Undergraduates pen poems about the future and compete for cash in the Steger Poetry Prize event.

Tom Sanchez to collaborate with Ohio State professor on massive open online course

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 00:00:00 -0400

TechniCity is a free, four-week massive open online course, or MOOC, that begins May 4. It will explore how networks, sensors and mobile technologies allow for new approaches to address the challenges facing modern cities. More than 14,000 people from around the world have already registered for the course.

Registration open for Inside Architecture + Design summer program for high school students

Fri, 19 Apr 2013 00:00:00 -0400

Inside Architecture + Design is a week-long program for high school students that provides hands-on experience in architecture, landscape architecture, industrial design and interior design. The program is directed by award-winning faculty from the College of Architecture and Urban Studies.

Sonia Hirt named interim associate dean for academic affairs in College of Architecture and Urban Studies

Thu, 18 Apr 2013 00:00:00 -0400

Sonia Hirt, currently chair of Urban Affairs and Planning within the School of Public and International Affairs, will assume the role of interim associate dean of academic affairs for the college Aug. 10.

Works by Professor Emeritus Truman Capone included in art exhibition in Florence, Italy

Wed, 17 Apr 2013 00:00:00 -0400

Two works of art by Truman Capone will be included in SMALL WONDERS, Piccole Meraviglie, a juried exhibition April 20, to May 4, at the LINEA Contemporary Art Space in Florence, Italy.

11th annual Undergraduate Research Conference to be held April 19

Wed, 17 Apr 2013 00:00:00 -0400

Almost 100 students will present their research and creative scholarship at the 11th annual Undergraduate Research Conference on Friday, April 19. Family, friends, those affiliated with the university, and the greater community are welcome to attend.

Elizabeth H. Skinker named 2013 Outstanding Graduating Senior in College of Architecture and Urban Studies

Wed, 17 Apr 2013 00:00:00 -0400

In addition to her academic success, Elizabeth Skinker has given outstanding service to her college and the local community.

Nicholas Onopa and Darya Nesterova selected 2013 Undergraduate Man, Woman of the Year

Mon, 08 Apr 2013 00:00:00 -0400

The recipients exemplify the qualities and values important to a Virginia Tech education, captured in the university motto, "Ut Prosim" (That I May Serve).

Paul Knox, Theodore Koebel recognized with Urban Affairs Association Honor Roll Award

Mon, 08 Apr 2013 00:00:00 -0400

Two faculty members from the College of Architecture and Urban Studies have been recognized for their outstanding service to the Urban Affairs Association.

Interior design graduate student wins $10,000 design competition

Fri, 05 Apr 2013 00:00:00 -0400

Xie Xin of Shanghai, China, a graduate student in interior design in the School of Architecture + Design, won the top prize for interior design in a competition sponsored by the Bienenstock Furniture Library.

Graduate School names outstanding master's, doctoral degree students for each college

Tue, 02 Apr 2013 00:00:00 -0400

Annually, the Graduate School selects a student from each college who exemplifies graduate education at Virginia Tech.

Center for Public Administration and Policy's annual High Table to feature Dvora Yanow of Wageningen University

Fri, 29 Mar 2013 00:00:00 -0400

The annual High Table brings together faculty, students, alumni, and invited guests from the Center for Public Administration and Policy's locations in Richmond, Alexandria, and Blacksburg, Va. to celebrate the life of the mind with special events and presentations.

Joel Peters edits handbook on Israeli-Palestinian conflict to offer unbiased political perspectives

Mon, 25 Mar 2013 00:00:00 -0400

While many books espouse the position of one side or the other in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, "The Routledge Handbook on the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict," co-edited by Virginia Tech Professor Joel Peters, is the first to present an overview of different political perspectives in one volume.

Eight undergraduate students selected to present at the 2013 ACC Meeting of the Minds conference

Mon, 25 Mar 2013 00:00:00 -0400

The eight selected students represent six colleges at Virginia Tech. The conference will be hosted at Wake Forest University April 4-6, 2013. Each of the 12 ACC member schools will send representatives.

Dean Carter art exhibition at Armory Art Gallery; opening reception March 22

Thu, 21 Mar 2013 00:00:00 -0400

An exhibition featuring the work of Professor Emeritus and renowned artist Dean Carter will be on display in the Armory Art Gallery through April 5.

Haitian priest discusses ways to empower organizations to create rural wealth

Thu, 21 Mar 2013 00:00:00 -0400

Father Joseph Philippe will lecture on empowering grassroots organizations to create wealth in rural Haiti.

Myers-Lawson School of Construction students place first in national sustainable building competition

Wed, 20 Mar 2013 00:00:00 -0400

A team of six undergraduate students took first place in a recent national competition, achieving the highest score on record in the Associated Schools of Construction National Sustainable Building and LEED Problem Competition.

Simone Paterson to be on exhibit at Perspective Gallery

Tue, 19 Mar 2013 00:00:00 -0400

"Diametric," an exhibit by Virginia Tech School of Visual Arts faculty member Simone Paterson, will be on exhibit at Perspective Gallery March 19 through May 11. There will be an opening reception at the gallery on Friday, March 22, from 5 to 7 p.m.

U.S. News again hails Virginia Tech's graduate programs among nation's best

Tue, 12 Mar 2013 00:00:00 -0400

Virginia Tech's College of Engineering for the third consecutive year ranks 24th among the nation's best engineering schools for graduate studies, according to U.S. News and World Report's America's Best Graduate Schools 2014 survey.

Derek Hyra appointed to four-year term on Alexandria Planning Commission

Mon, 11 Mar 2013 00:00:00 -0400

Derek Hyra will put his research to practice in Alexandria, focusing on promoting affordable housing opportunities as well as equitable and sustainable development.

Documentary about students who designed award-winning amphitheater to premiere on campus

Wed, 06 Mar 2013 00:00:00 -0500

"Reality Check" is a new documentary that follows students from the Virginia Tech College of Architecture and Urban Studies during the process of designing and building an award-winning community amphitheater for Clifton Forge, Va.

'Little Princes' selected as university’s 2013-14 Common Book

Mon, 04 Mar 2013 00:00:00 -0500

After receiving 180 book recommendations from the Virginia Tech community, Conor Grennan's "Little Princes," an account of the author's trip to an orphanage in a war-torn Nepal and his efforts to reunite the children with their parents, was selected as the 2013-14 Common Book.

Eric Standley's cutting-edge artwork gains international following

Wed, 27 Feb 2013 00:00:00 -0500

A School of Visual Arts faculty member's innovative laser-cut paper artwork is creating an international stir with art collectors, blogs, and media.

Virginia Tech hosts roundtable in partnership with Capital IIT to address energy challenges in U.S. and India

Wed, 20 Feb 2013 00:00:00 -0500

About 50 entrepreneurs, academics, and business leaders are expected to attend the event in Arlington to network and explore ways to spawn scalable, sustainable, and profitable projects in the both the United States and India.

Photos: Artwork by Eric Standley

Sun, 17 Feb 2013 11:43:17 -0500

Eric Standley's innovative art is painstakingly assembled from numerous layers of laser-cut paper.

Grant to expand graduate training in construction occupational safety and health

Fri, 15 Feb 2013 00:00:00 -0500

The Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering has received a five-year $470,703 grant from the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health to expand its graduate education to address construction-related occupational safety and health.

Student designed and built amphitheater named American-Architects Building of the Year 2012

Thu, 14 Feb 2013 00:00:00 -0500

The Clifton Forge Masonic Amphitheater received the highest number of votes among 50 select buildings in North America, including those designed by well-known architects and firms. Marie and Keith Zawistowski's third-year architecture studio was responsible for the design and construction of the structure.

Virginia Tech contracts with Australian university in effort to reduce U.S. construction injuries

Thu, 14 Feb 2013 00:00:00 -0500

Brian M. Kleiner focuses his research on construction safety, and his recent work looks at the efforts undertaken in Australia that seemingly provide a safer environment for its construction workers, at least according to the statistics.

Keith and Marie Zawistowski win national Design Build Award from the Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture

Mon, 11 Feb 2013 00:00:00 -0500

College of Architecture and Urban Studies faculty members Keith and Marie and Zawistowski have once again received national recognition for their innovative pedagogy that provides hands-on experiences for students.

'SpongeBob Squarepants' storyboard director to discuss the art of animation at Institute for Creativity, Arts, and Technology lecture

Mon, 11 Feb 2013 00:00:00 -0500

Tuck Tucker, supervising storyboard director of the Nickelodeon animated series "SpongeBob Squarepants," will present "The Art of Drawing Story" on Wednesday, Feb. 20 at 5 p.m. in Hancock Auditorium.

School of Public and International Affairs introduces graduate certificate in Global Planning and International Development Studies

Thu, 07 Feb 2013 00:00:00 -0500

A new multidisciplinary internationally focused graduate certificate is being offered to Virginia Tech students.

Photos: Storyboard creation for "SpongeBob Squarepants"

Sat, 02 Feb 2013 11:24:42 -0500

Ralph Buehler's 'City Cycling' finds way to Parliamentary session to 'Get Britain Cycling'

Fri, 01 Feb 2013 00:00:00 -0500

"City Cycling" appears in a photograph from a Parliamentary session to examine the barriers which are preventing more people from cycling in the United Kingdom.

Donna Dunay receives Distinguished Professor Award from the Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture

Wed, 30 Jan 2013 00:00:00 -0500

Professor Donna Dunay's areas of specialty include research on design studies, urban design, architecture, and community identities, as well as product design and production.

Video: Virginia Tech students create $5 million building plan for the Reynolds Homestead

Tue, 22 Jan 2013 00:00:00 -0500

The students' architectural work was "fabulous," says Elizabeth Gilboy, director of the Community Design Assistance Center, which produced the proposed Patrick County project.

New master's degree program in material culture and public humanities brings multidisciplinary focus, career opportunities

Tue, 22 Jan 2013 00:00:00 -0500

A collaboration between the College of Architecture and Urban Studies and the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences has resulted in a new multidisciplinary Master of Arts degree.

Architecture students awarded $4,000 in scholarships from Mid Atlantic Chapter of RCI

Wed, 16 Jan 2013 00:00:00 -0500

Faculty in the College of Architecture and Urban Studies and the Mid Atlantic Chapter of an international building organization teamed up to create a student competition with $4,000 in prizes to encourage excellence in research and design.

Researchers explore intersection of art and science in gallery exhibition

Wed, 09 Jan 2013 00:00:00 -0500

Researchers from the Virginia Tech College of Agriculture and Life Sciences illustrate the intersection of art and science in a gallery exhibition titled The Art of Science. The free show runs from Jan. 14-31 at the Armory Art Gallery.

Prevention through Design: A new approach to reduce construction risks

Wed, 19 Dec 2012 00:00:00 -0500

"Some of the most pressing occupational health hazard risks in construction" are associated with masonry operations, asphalt roofing, and welding, wrote Deborah Young-Corbett in an article recently accepted by the Journal of Civil Engineering and Management.

Virginia Issues & Answers explores rising sea levels, spiraling debt, Medicaid expansion, smart grids, and uranium mining

Tue, 18 Dec 2012 00:00:00 -0500

The winter 2012-13 issue of Virginia Issues & Answers, a public policy forum published by Virginia Tech's Office of University Relations, examines rising sea levels, spiraling debt, Medicaid expansion, smart grids, and uranium mining.

College of Architecture and Urban Studies faculty, programs listed in the Public Interest Design 100

Fri, 14 Dec 2012 00:00:00 -0500

College of Architecture and Urban Studies faculty members Andrew Balster, Keith Zawistowski, and Marie Zawistowski and the programs they lead, the CHICAGO STUDIO and design/buildLAB, have been recognized in the Public Interest Design 100.

TEDxTalks releases videos of presentations from inaugural TEDxVirginiaTech event

Thu, 13 Dec 2012 00:00:00 -0500

Twenty-one Virginia Tech students, faculty, and alumni shared ideas, insights, and inspiration at the inaugural TEDxVirginiaTech event on Nov. 10, 2012.

Student wins College of Architecture and Urban Studies 50th anniversary icon design competition

Wed, 12 Dec 2012 00:00:00 -0500

The College of Architecture and Urban Studies will celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2014. To commemorate the occasion, the college sponsored a design competition for an icon and poster and David Spradlin, a senior in visual communication design, created the winning entry.

Families, faculty to honor graduates at 2012 Fall Commencement ceremonies Dec. 21

Wed, 12 Dec 2012 00:00:00 -0500

Approximately 2,500 undergraduate and graduate students will be honored during Fall Commencement ceremonies to be held Friday, Dec. 21, in Cassell Coliseum on the Virginia Tech campus.

Markus Breitschmid authors book on the work of Swiss architects Christ and Gantenbein

Tue, 11 Dec 2012 00:00:00 -0500

Markus Breitschmid, an associate professor in the College of Architecture and Urban Studies has co-authored a book on the work of Swiss architects Emanuel Christ and Christoph Gantenbein.

Summer tuition reduction saves students money, time toward degree completion

Wed, 05 Dec 2012 00:00:00 -0500

Course request for both summer sessions opens on Dec. 7, and this summer, students who enroll will see a break in their tuition bill. The Virginia Tech Board of Visitors approved a 10 percent reduction for summer session enrollment compared to regular session hourly rates beginning in summer 2013 on a pilot program basis.

Nov. 29 talk to feature stories from cradle of social activism

Wed, 28 Nov 2012 00:00:00 -0500

Noted activist and organizer Pam McMichael, the director of the Highlander Research and Education Center, will give a free talk at the Lyric Theatre in Blacksburg at 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 29, as part of the Community Voices series.

Landscape architecture program ranked second in North America

Wed, 28 Nov 2012 00:00:00 -0500

Graduate and undergraduate programs within the College of Architecture and Urban Studies' School of Architecture + Design have once again received top rankings in the annual DesignIntelligence report.

Ralph Buehler coedits book on cycling trends and policies in North America, Europe, and Australia

Tue, 27 Nov 2012 00:00:00 -0500

Ralph Buehler says that "City Cycling," published by MIT Press, is for everyone interested in bicycling, including academics, professionals, policy makers, and cycling enthusiasts.

Annie Hesp, Kirk and Noel Schulz to address graduates at 2012 Fall Commencement ceremonies

Mon, 26 Nov 2012 00:00:00 -0500

Both ceremonies will be held at Cassell Coliseum. Approximately 2,500 students will be honored for completing their academic degrees at the end of the summer and fall terms at the two events.

'Lost Communities of Virginia’ wins Library of Virginia’s People’s Choice Award, Outstanding Historic Preservation Research Effort Award

Tue, 13 Nov 2012 00:00:00 -0500

"Lost Communities of Virginia," a 2011 book by College of Architecture and Urban Studies alumna Kirsten Sparenborg and Terri Fisher of Virginia Tech's Community Design Assistance Center, has earned two recent honors, one based on popular vote and the other on historical research.

College of Architecture and Urban Studies gears up for 50th Anniversary with design competition, displays in Cowgill Hall

Fri, 09 Nov 2012 00:00:00 -0500

All of the entries from the competition, including the five finalists, will be on display in the main lobby of Cowgill Hall Tuesday, Nov. 13, through Friday, Nov. 16.

Center for European Studies and Architecture in Switzerland begins expansion, renovation

Thu, 08 Nov 2012 00:00:00 -0500

Villa Maderni, which houses Virginia Tech's Center for European Studies and Architecture, is undergoing renovations and expansion to improve the living and learning spaces there.

Virginia Tech students, art historian to present new insights on selected works at the Taubman Museum of Art

Wed, 07 Nov 2012 00:00:00 -0500

Students in a capstone art history class are getting hands-on research experience thanks to a partnership with the Taubman Museum of Art in Roanoke, Va. They will give a special presentation about their findings Thursday, Nov. 15 at the museum.

Virginia Tech Board of Visitors approves new undergraduate degree in real estate

Wed, 07 Nov 2012 00:00:00 -0500

The new undergraduate degree in real estate will transcend traditional college boundaries as a comprehensive, interdisciplinary academic program that will be a partnership among six colleges. The State Council for Higher Education in Virginia will review the program for final approval in early 2013, with an expected launch in next fall.

Forum on future of nuclear regimes to address critical issues of worldwide nuclear power enterprise, non-proliferation

Thu, 01 Nov 2012 00:00:00 -0400

Experts from government, industry, think tanks, and academia will convene to forge a broader understanding of today's global nuclear enterprise.

Photos: Center for European Studies and Architecture in Riva San Vitale, Switzerland

Tue, 30 Oct 2012 15:59:58 -0400

Riva San Vitale is a small village in the Italian-speaking Ticino region of Switzerland, near the Italian border and about an hour from Milan. This location allows students to be immersed in regional culture and have easy access to all of Europe.

Katie Gehrt named communications manager for the College of Architecture and Urban Studies

Tue, 30 Oct 2012 00:00:00 -0400

Katie Gehrt will be responsible for strategic communications for the college, including internal and external communications, media relations, and publications for its four schools: the School of Architecture + Design, the School of Public and International Affairs, the School of Visual Arts, and the Building Construction department in the Myers-Lawson School of Construction.

Photos: Faculty and students install Luminous Kite Lanterns at farmers market

Fri, 26 Oct 2012 10:13:47 -0400

A team of students from the School of Architecture + Design recently installed at interaction installation of 740 kites made with mulberry paper at the Blacksburg Farmers Market. Members of the Institute for Creativity, Arts, and Technology partnered on the project to add lights and sounds in an interactive way.