School of Architecture The Architecture School s four disciplines architecture, landscape architecture, history of architecture, and urban and environmental planning have achieved a national leadership role in the broadly defined area of sustainability. In the past 8 years, the faculty research agenda has significantly grown, developing a wide range of projects and literature that lead the nation s debate on cultural heritage, environmental planning and design, and the stewardship of our human and natural resources. All of the school s 9-degree granting programs, at the undergraduate, graduate and professional levels, share and promote these themes in the context of a public institution. The development of the physical spaces and landscapes is of primary importance to our mission. By the spring of 2008 the first phase of our master plan for the School will be complete. This complex of buildings and landscape additions represent pedagogical examples of aesthetic and sustainable design solutions not only for our school but for other educational institutions as well. The school has identified the following themes to develop in the coming decade. 1) Design of new building systems: Using available research and new emerging building technologies the school is developing several models of innovative and ecologically sophisticated building systems that preserve water supplies, generate energy and that shape individual and community relationships at the domestic and public scale. In expanding its fabrication facilities, the school will be able to develop building systems for housing, emergency structures and other innovative prototypes for a burgeoning global population with limited resources. The development of these units is a collaborative enterprise between architecture and engineering and involves design and physical fabrication as steps to prototyping and patents. Commission/Schools/Architecture/November 2007 1
2) Planning and Design of Sustainable Communities: Working with partners in several schools and with the Institute for Environmental Negotiation, the School will continue to focus on developing model sustainable communities and planning strategies that honor biodiversity, preservation of natural and built resources, transit oriented design patterns and the design of healthier communities. The Landscape Architecture Program in particular is poised to develop means, methods and aesthetic designs for rehabilitative landscapes with the ambition to address the fragile conditions resulting from both climate change and human pollution. The school is analyzing the size of its Professional Landscape Architecture Program, with the possibility of doubling its size to meet the growing need for professionals in this discipline. 3) Visualization Studies and Information Design: The school s partnership with the IATH and the Virtual Reality Lab has led to significant advances in the work of our faculty and students. The school will be on the forefront of 3D and interactive modeling as an effective tool for the analysis of historic architecture, for design innovation and for the development of information design related to the environment. TWO-YEAR PLAN: July 1, 2007- June 30, 2009 Programs: Provide leadership in the pan-university initiative to develop an Institute for the Improvement of the Environment. Develop a strategic role in this new Institute for the related Institute for Environmental Negotiation. Conduct an analysis of the Professional Landscape Architecture Program with respect to size, specifically examining the potential of increasing enrollment and faculty support to match the size of the Professional Architecture Program. Commission/Schools/Architecture/November 2007 2
Conduct an analysis of the School s Preservation program with the possibility for growth and development related to all disciplines. Partner with IATH to develop 3D modeling and informative design courses that relate to the missions of all disciplines in the school. Continue to develop public outreach programs for students and faculty, specifically as related to the Charlottesville Community Design Center, and other local non-profits engaged in planning, preservation and design. Begin curricular development for Real Estate Institute with Darden and McIntire People: Develop the strategic plan for increasing diversity in the student body especially in the professional and graduate programs. Retain leadership position of the school s women and minority faculty. Places: Completion the first phase of Campbell Constructions projects including two new building additions and their associated landscapes (summer of 2008) and the café renovation. Design a staged plan to complete the interior renovations of Campbell Hall. Develop the master plan for the Phase II of the Campbell Constructions to include the acquisition of the Bayly Museum Building. Develop a new off site Fabrications Laboratory in collaboration with SEAS to provide state of the art fabrication facilities for research and development related to the school s leadership role in ecological, affordable and emergency housing prototypes. Promotion: Redesign of School s web site, as a highly interactive site, to coincide with the opening of the new building and landscape additions. (2008-9) Commission/Schools/Architecture/November 2007 3
Develop an overall strategic plan to improve public awareness and outreach opportunities for both the comprehensive accomplishments of the School as well as significant individual and group achievements. SIX-YEAR PLAN: July 1, 2007- June 30, 2013 Programs: Develop curricula in existing disciplines to enhance offerings inclusive of a wider set of perspectives and histories. Hire appropriate faculty to teach in this expanded curriculum. Develop courses and a pan-university program on Environmental Literacy at both the school and university levels. Develop partnership with IATH for a comprehensive interdisciplinary program in Information Design using the expanded Virtual Reality Lab. Develop a PhD Program in Urban and Environmental Planning with a highly specific focus related to faculty research directions. Develop a traveling endowment fund to support curricular based travel for all disciplines. Analyze and potentially begin a program with SEAS for a joint undergraduate degree in Architecture and Engineering. Develop the undergraduate Interdisciplinary Real Estate Institute with Darden and McIntire Schools. Develop strategic partners with international universities to support our leadership in global environmental projects and education. People: Implement strategic plan for increased diversity especially at the graduate student level. Provide ongoing recruitment of minority and women faculty. Develop funding to support an endowment for faculty research support and development. Commission/Schools/Architecture/November 2007 4
Add 4 new faculty lines in strategic areas of development as a significant part of the capital campaign. Double our financial aid resources for graduate students. Places: Complete design of and expansion of Campbell Constructions. TEN YEAR PLAN: July 1, 2007-June 30, 20017 The School needs a proper endowment to support its mission. By both completing the 25M campaign and naming the school at 50M, it will gain financial stability in order to create a better climate for planning and development of the central themes of the school. The School will lead the Nation s architecture and design schools as the primary research and design center for innovation related to the development of a sustainable future for the planet. There are several new kinds of programs that support this vision. The development of a sophisticated interactive Information Design Center that comprehensively records and presents worldwide data related to the environment. (Possible collaboration with Murdoch University, Australia) The establishment of a Global Environmental Literacy Program using the Center for Information Design. The development of partnerships with industry to produce innovative products such as affordable and emergency housing units and other associated products and processes. The development of partnerships with innovative real estate firms to create state of the art sustainable community planning and design solutions. Commission/Schools/Architecture/November 2007 5