2015 Detroit Spring Conference Wrap-Up

Congratulations to the Scholarship Recipients:

Congratulations to the Scholarship Recipients

The AIA Committee on Architecture for Education sponsored these seven emerging professionals to attend their spring conference in Detroit on April 15-18, 2015.

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Daniel Lamoreaux

Daniel Lamoreaux
Tucson, AZ
3rd Year PhD student, School Psychology
University of Arizona

"Towards the end of my second year of graduate school at the University of Arizona I had to decide on a minor area to accompany my doctorate in school psychology. At the time I was starting to tire of my field and didn’t feel excited about any related minor topics; nothing jumped out at me until I remembered a conversation that I’d had with some friends a few months earlier. They were students in the College of Architecture and had discussed an interesting course they had taken that fused the study of neuroscience and design. Upon recalling this I was taken up in whirlwind of inspiration! I envisioned using my knowledge of psychology, education, and research analysis to promote evidence-based design principles for schools and classrooms, thus creating optimal learning environments."

Blogs:
Bio and Essay
Towards Empirically Driven Design for School Facilities
Summary of the Spring CAE Conference Experience: A Scholarship Recipient's Perspective

Bryan Falk, AIA

Bryan Falk, AIA
Topeka, KS
Architect/Project Manager
Architect One, PA

"For the last several years I have been heavily involved in Education facilities design and would like to continue my growth in this building type. I have three children, two of which are school age and I take an enormous interest in their education and improving the environment in which children learn. I am especially interested in the project based learning model, which allows students to learn by "doing" rather than just watching. It has been my experience that I learn much more effectively with this approach. Some of the most memorable educational moments as I went through school involved projects and working together in teams with fellow classmates."

Blogs:
Bio and Essay
Ownership & Education
Foreign Language Immersion and Cultural Studies (FLICS) - Detroit

Brian Love, AIA

Brian Love, AIA
Bainbridge Island, WA
Project Architect/Associate
NAC Architecture

"My passion for designing educational spaces stems from an enthusiasm for learning and teaching. My pride as an architect comes from a desire to be a resource to clients, fellow professionals, and students. Given that educational clients often confront a Gordian Knot: with varying and frequently conflicting needs, it is a privilege to be a resource to help guide them through the process of creating engaging places of learning."

Blogs:
Bio and Essay
STEM Cell: An Edge Case
Designing Schools for Change: University Prep Science and Math

Gardner Clute, Assoc. AIA

Gardner Clute, Assoc. AIA
Denver, CO
Designer 3
Cunningham Group Architecture

"I hope to expand my knowledge so I can better understand the relationship of educational facilities and the surrounding communities. Learn more about how facilities not only educate students but also strengthen their character and prepare them to be participating members of society. I think both of these relate to a sense of place that allow students to take ownership of their futures."

Blogs:
Bio and Essay
Door Hardware… and STEM Classroom Remodel
CAE Detroit: Hope + Hard Work = Rejuvenation

Indira Dutt

Indira Dutt
Toronto, ON
Urban Instructor
Outward Bound Canada

"I am passionate about the relationship between learners and the design of school spaces, especially with respect to the interactions between nature, architecture and the learners. My research on school design revealed that elements that foster a connection to the natural world, such as indoor/outdoor interfaces have a huge impact on students. Students spoke in detail about how these interfaces increased their sense of imagination, productivity, concentration, sense of belonging, emotional, intellectual and even spiritual well being. My research suggested that school buildings really can be a ‘third teacher’ and that nature in the built environment is extremely beneficial to students."

Blogs:
Bio and Essay
Underutilized School Spaces: Brainstorming Solutions
Exposure to Innovative Schools fuels Innovation in Educational Programming

Travis Willson, AIA

Travis Willson, AIA
Kansas City, MO
Senior Architect
Hollis + Miller Architects

"Equity in education is of profound interest as an architect in greater Kansas City. By comparing two local districts, the quality of education is clearly tied to inequalities of race, income. Blue Valley Schools is a top-performing district: 77% Caucasian, median household income of $101,824. Contrast that with the district that I live in, Hickman Mills- our district is improving, but is currently provisionally accredited, 78% African American, median household income of $24,000. The correlation is clear, moving forward is somewhat more difficult."

Blogs:
Bio and Essay
A different kind of sustainability
Detroit: A city on the Mend

Charlie Klecha, Assoc. AIA

Charlie Klecha, Assoc. AIA
Washington, DC
National President
American Institute of Architecture Students

"As a representative of the national organization for students of architecture and design, I feel that my participation in this conference could be beneficial in multiple ways, both to the AIA and the AIAS. First, I can speak on behalf of a group engaged directly in the post-occupancy use of educational facilities, and lend that perspective in the various pieces of programming. Additionally, my role within the AIAS entails sharing with our membership the possibilities of a life in Architecture, and the possible avenues they may pursue. The information and experiences I gather at this conference would inform content to be distributed to a base of young designers who may be interested in pursuing educational facilities as a career specialization."

Blogs:
Bio and Essay
Studio Culture: The Role of Learning Environments on Education and the Profession
The Impact of Design: A Reflection on the CAE Detroit Conference

In Your Words

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