Events

For the latest updates, check out the online UTSOA Calendar.

AIA ALUMNI RECEPTION IN BOSTON - MAY 15

Join us in Boston for an alumni reception in conjunction with the AIA 2008 National Convention and Design Exposition at the Exchange Conference Center on Thursday, May 15, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. If you haven't received your invitation by mail, you may r.s.v.p. online or contact Stacy Manning directly at 512.471.0617 or via email at smanning@austin.utexas.edu.

EXHIBIT

February 1, 2008, through August 15, 2008
Visual Resources Collection
Sutton Hall 3.128 (Monday-Friday, 8-5)

"Landscape Architecture's History:
Marrying Research and Teaching through the Camera's Eye"

During the course of her academic career, Professor Mirka Beneš has documented a wide range of landscapes and supporting materials such as rare prints, maps, drawings, and written documents. From Professor Beneš' extensive slide collection, a group of almost 8,000 teaching slides--used in support of her two lecture courses in the history and theories of landscape architecture--were selected, cataloged, and digitized by the school's Visual Resources Collection (VRC). The selection of images in this exhibit represents a small sampling of images selected from the group that are available for use by the university community as part of the VRC's online Image Collection.

SUPPORT UTSOA

ALLEY FLAT INITIATIVE

The Alley Flat Initiative (a collaborative project of UT's Center for Sustainable Design, the Austin Community Design and Development Center, the Guadalupe Neighborhood Development Corporation, and the BaSiC Initiative) has been awarded one of twelve Excellence in Green Building Curriculum Recognition Awards and Incentive Grants by the U.S. Green Building Council. The award comes with $20,000 to support the program.

A project of Professor Steven Moore and Adjunct Associate Professor Sergio Palleroni, the Alley Flat Initiative proposes a new sustainable, affordable housing alternative for all Austinites by creating innovative designs as well as methods of financing and home ownership that benefit all neighborhoods in Austin.

The program was conceived through student research and design studios at The University of Texas School of Architecture. Alley flats are small, detached residential units accessed from Austin's extensive network of under-utilized alleys. The goal of the initiative is to build two prototypes (one is currently under construction) to showcase innovative design and environmental sustainability features. The prototypes will demonstrate how sustainable housing can support growing communities by being affordable and adaptable. The long-term goal is to create a flexible and self-perpetuating delivery system for sustainable and affordable housing in Austin and to demonstrate a process that might be replicated elsewhere.

Recipients will be honored at an awards ceremony at the Educators Summit Greenbuild 2008 in Boston, featured on USGBC's website, showcased at Greenbuild Expo, and receive travel support for one representative to attend Greenbuild to present the grant-awarded curriculum at an education session.

If you would like to learn more about the Alley Flat Initiative, please visit their web site. If you are interested in providing support for the program, please contact Teresa Carr at the School of Architecture's Center for Sustainable Development at teresacarr@mail.utexas.edu.

FRIENDS OF ARCHITECTURE

TOUR OF SEATTLE - JULY 17-20, 2008

Join the School of Architecture for a walking tour through some of Seattle's most compelling downtown buildings, neighborhoods, and public spaces.

This exciting tour will be led by Professor Larry Speck, a former Dean of the School of Architecture, founding Director of the Center of American Architecture and Design, and a principal with PageSoutherlandPage.

While in Seattle, we'll spend three nights at the Alexis Hotel in the heart of downtown, minutes from the famous Pike Place Market, Space Needle, Seattle Waterfront and Aquarium, Symphony Hall, and nationally acclaimed, award-winning theaters.

Among the highlights of our upcoming tour:

• SEATTLE PUBLIC LIBRARY by Rem Koolhaas and LMN Architects -- This 363,000 sq. ft. structure of steel and glass skin is divided into eight horizontal layers and features the "Dewey Ramp," a four-story ramp that allows people to browse through books in a continuous sequence. Other architectural features include the top floor Reading Room with views of Puget Sound and the "Living Room" lobby located under a 50-foot-high sloping glass wall.


• EXPERIENCE MUSIC PROJECT by Frank Gehry -- This museum of music history founded by Paul Allen features Gehry's signature sheet metal construction and was inspired by the shape of electric guitars. No right angles exist on the building's exterior, which is covered by approximately 21,000 shingles, uniquely cut and bent to fit into each specific location.


• SEATTLE ART MUSEUM (SAM) -- This 300,000 sq. ft. expansion of the downtown location, designed by Allied Works Architecture, will allow the museum to accommodate its growing collections with new gallery and public spaces. Design features of this expansion project include five interlocking double-height galleries; innovative use of natural light to expose museum activities to passersby; and unique, vertically organized museum space rising 155 feet above street level.

We'll also enjoy some of Seattle's cuisine culture as we gather for a welcome dinner at the Dahlia Lounge, named by Food and Wine as the "Quintessential Seattle" restaurant. During dinner, we'll hear from former Seattle City Council President Peter Steinbrueck, a member of the American Institute of Architects who was inducted into the AIA College of Fellows in 2006.

Spaces are filling quickly, so log on to the Friends of Architecture website for membership details and tour registration.

Friends of Architecture would like to thank our Corporate Silver members and supporters Curtis & Windham Architects and Lucifer Lighting Company.

FACULTY SCHOLARSHIP AND AWARDS

A new book, co-edited by Dr. Steven A. Moore with Pieter Vermass, Peter Kroes, and Andrew Light, Philosophy and Design: From Engineering to Architecture, was just published in hard back (Springer 2008). The collection examines the common ground shared in the socio-technical design of artefacts as distinct as buildings, nanotechnology, and genetic organisms.

Dr. Anthony Alofsin, Roland Roessner Centennial Professor of Architecture, is co-editing with Elizabeth Barlow Rogers the forthcoming issue of Site/Lines, A Journal of Place. The journal is published by the Foundation for Landscape Studies, and the theme of the new issue will be Japan and its influence on landscape design. Natsumi Nonaka, a UT doctoral student in landscape history, will collaborate on the issue with the editors.

Assistant Professor Smilja Milovanovic-Bertram was selected as an alternate for a Fulbright Fellowship position in Italy, 2008-2009.

Her exhibit, "Lessons from Rome: the Work of Robert Venturi, Tod Williams, Thomas Phifer, and Paul Lewis," was displayed at the College of Environmental Design Gallery, California State Polytechnic University-Pomona, from April 11 to May 6, 2008.

This exhibit explores the relationship between travel and design thinking by presenting the experiences of four contemporary American architects' in Rome and Italy. All four architects are Fellows of the American Academy in Rome (FAAR): Robert Venturi (FAAR 1956), Tod Williams (FAAR 1983), Thomas Phifer (FAAR 1995), and Paul Lewis (FAAR 1999). Images of their projects are juxtaposed against Roman buildings, sites, landscapes, and quotes from interviews.

ALUMNI NEWS

THANK YOU CLASS OF 1958!

Last week's 50-Year Alumni Reunion was a great success. The alums enjoyed a group luncheon on Thursday with Dean Fritz Steiner and an entertaining keynote speech from Dr. William S. Livingston. Following the luncheon, the group received a school update from Professor Kevin S. Alter, Associate Dean for Graduate Programs and Sid W. Richardson Centennial Professor of Architecture. Afterward, they toured studios to interact with students and hear about upcoming projects and finished their school reunion at the Materials Lab, where they viewed the impressive collection of over 12,000 building and design material samples.

ALUMNI CONNECTIONS

We want you to stay involved and connected to the School, so join us for one of our many upcoming Alumni Events:

• AIA Alumni Reception in Boston - Thursday, May 15, 2008
• Houston Alumni Reception at The Grove Restaurant - Thursday, October 9, 2008
• TSA Alumni Reception in Fort Worth - Thursday, October 23, 2008

More details will become available on the School of Architecture Alumni web page as the events approach, or if you have questions please do not hesitate to contact Stacy Manning at 512.471.0617 or via email at smanning@austin.utexas.edu.

The School of Architecture is continuing its effort to find (and maintain) the most accurate contact information for all of our alumni. From young alumni receptions to 50-year reunions, and everything in between, we hope you will stay in touch. Would you like to mentor a student? Do you need to hire a fellow Longhorn? Looking for networking or continuing education opportunities? We can help, but we need to know how to reach you!

Stay in touch with former classmates--update your records and contact preferences by logging on to the University's online alumni directory.

Thanks for helping us improve our relationship with you. We look forward to hearing from you!

MASTER OF ARCHITECTURE STUDENT WINS DESIGN WITHIN REACH FURNITURE COMPETITION

Janice Abrams, a Master of Architecture student at the University of Texas, won the Grand Prize at the April 24, 2008, Design Within Reach Modern+Design+Function juried furniture exhibition.

A panel of jurors selected 25 of the top entries to be exhibited. These jurors unanimously chose the Abrams' design as the show winner. They felt her furniture exemplified simple elegance and "a green philosophy which is the driving criteria this year." Abrams, the designer of the winning Horizon Modules, invited the user to imagine, play, and invent. Her seven pieces can be arranged to form a bench with rocking seats, a table, a chair, or a console. "In this time of environmental awareness, it is important to have well-designed furniture that can be adaptable and sustained rather than tossed," Janice Abrams told the hundreds gathered in the DWR Studio at 200 West Second Street in Austin, Texas.

For additional information please call Janice Abrams 512.970.6896 or email jcabrams@mail.utexas.edu.

INTERIOR DESIGN STUDENT GROUP RENOVATES
UT CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTER

"Architecture senior Angela Lauer and members of UT's interior design organization Ampersand turned a campus building with an outdated 1980s interior motif into a sophisticated yet fun environment for children and teachers," reports Sarah Wilson in the April 29, 2008, edition of The Daily Texan. Her article continues:

Lauer, president of the organization, and eight other design students spent Friday and Saturday, April 26-27, transforming the UT Child Development Center. With the help of 10 teacher volunteers, the group spent about 15 hours redecorating the entry hall, music room, kitchen, workroom, and teacher meeting room.

"We wanted the space to affect children, but we really did it as a 'thank you' for teachers," Lauer said.

Kelsey Evans, Parent Advisory Council chairwoman and mother of two students, posted an online notice more than a year ago asking interior designers to remodel parts of the school. In previous years, Evans had applied for TV home makeover shows without luck, but knew she could turn to UT students for help.

Lauer offered to help, but realized the project was too big for her alone to complete, so she suggested that Ampersand take on the task as a team. They started planning the layout of the center about six months ago.

The organization sent letters asking for donations and received $1,500 from IKEA, Jerry's Art-O-Rama, Breed & Co., Shaw Carpet, and Interface Inc. Ampersand and the UT child center each contributed $150 of their own funds.

"It was a very low-budget project, but I'm happy with how it turned out," Lauer said.

"Teaching is not an overpaid profession," she said. "They work long hours with young kids, and I just wanted us to be able to do one thing to make their space more comfortable, to let them know they are valued."

Lauer said Ampersand enjoyed the opportunity to help the teachers, but that members also benefited from experiencing a full-scale design project.

"The teachers were so amazed and grateful," Lauer said. "This is our first volunteer project, but I think it's something the organization is going to carry out every year, now that we know what it's like."

CONTACTS

In this fast-paced world, there's a lot of news to keep up with. We know you are doing great things, and we rely on you not only to share your stories, but also to keep us up-to-date on your contact information so that we can share our stories with you. Alumni, please send your news and contact updates to our new Associate Director of Constituent and Alumni Relations, Stacy Manning at smanning@austin.utexas.edu. Students, faculty, and staff may send updates to eNews editor Pamela Peters at p.peters@mail.utexas.edu.

UT-Austin School of Architecture
soa.utexas.edu

Dean's Office
512.471.1922, fax 512.471.0716

Center for American Architecture and Design
christinewong@mail.utexas.edu, 512-471-9890

Center for Sustainable Development
teresacarr@mail.utexas.edu, 512.475.7995

Assistant Dean for Development
Julie Hooper, jhooper@austin.utexas.edu, 512.471.6114

Assistant Dean for Undergraduate Programs
Jeanne Crawford, jcraw@mail.utexas.edu, 512.471.0109

Graduate Program Coordinator
Rosemin Gopaul, gopaul@austin.utexas.edu, 512.471.0134

Associate Director of Constituent and Alumni Relations,
Stacy Manning, smanning@austin.utexas.edu, 512.471.0617

Director, Career Services Center
Carrie O'Malley, carrie.omalley@austin.utexas.edu, 512.471.1333

Publications Editor
Pamela Peters, p.peters@mail.utexas.edu, 512.471.0154

Events Coordinator
Barbara Terrell, bdt@mail.utexas.edu, 512.471.8187

Materials Lab
http://soa.utexas.edu/matlab, 512.232.5969

Visual Resources Collection
http://soa.utexas.edu/vrc/, 512.471.0143

Architecture and Planning Library
www.lib.utexas.edu/apl/, 512.495.4620

Webmaster
Christopher Rankin, crankin@mail.utexas.edu, 512.495.4620

UTSOA Mailing Address
The University of Texas at Austin
School of Architecture
1 University Station B7500
Austin, TX 78712-0222