School News

In our final e-SPAN newsletter of the year, we talk to two alumni who have dedicated their careers to working for justice in the built environment: Ashley Archie (MUD ‘15) and Lizzie MacWillie (B.Arch ‘07). We also take a look at photographs and sketches from Tommy CheeMou Yang’s Common Imaginaries studio, including the class’s trip to Chiang Mai, Thailand this past summer. Finally, we delve into the New Pedagogies courses, new to the school this fall semester.

In this edition of the e-SPAN newsletter, we introduce the Revolutions/Resolutions Public Programs theme and talk to Carnegie Mellon Architecture alumni about what revolution means in their careers. Stephen Wilder (Master of Science in Architecture ‘04) shares how he built his firm, Think Wilder, to be a point of architectural contact in his community. Elizabeth Monoian (MFA ‘00) and Robert Ferry (B.Arch ‘98), founders and principals of the Land Art Generator Initiative (LAGI), tell us how they’re taking a fresh approach to the renewable energy revolution.

We look forward to an already invigorating academic year in the latest edition of the e-SPAN newsletter. We talk to Erica Cochran Hameen, the director of the historically successful UDream program which re-launched this summer after a multi-year pause. We also share stories about student and faculty summer travel, photographs from the EX-CHANGE 2023 launch and a welcome to new faculty at the school.

The School of Architecture mourns the passing of Professor Delbert Highlands on July 24, 2023 at the age of 88. He was a school alum, earning his master’s in architecture from Carnegie Mellon University, and faculty member for many years, retiring in 2000 as Professor Emeritus. Professor Highlands served as head of the Department of Architecture (now School of Architecture) from 1969-1975. A native of Pittsburgh, he was self-employed as an architect.

The PJ Dick Trumbull Lindy Group has continued its partnership with Carnegie Mellon University by establishing the PJ Dick Innovation Fund with a generous $500,000 gift to the School of Architecture. The funds will be used to support existing school initiatives, including direct student support, equity in architecture, and design research.

In this edition of the e-SPAN Newsletter, we reflect on the Spring 2023 Public Programs series which explored the relationship of architecture to the extraction of materials. We have a conversation with Christine Mondor, a faculty member whose Urban Ecology seminar led the opening and closing discussions for the semester. We also hear from a few of the Master of Urban Design (MUD) students about how their perception of extractivism evolved over the course of the lecture series. Finally, we look back on a memorable spring and celebrate our newest graduates.

The Carnegie Mellon University School of Architecture is proud to announce the winners of our 2023 Graduation Awards. The winners were announced during the 2023 School of Architecture Diploma Ceremony on May 12, 2023. These annual awards recognize the outstanding achievements of graduating students.

Carnegie Mellon Architecture is pleased to announce Stefan Gruber as the new director of the Remaking Cities Institute. Stefan is an architect, urbanist and associate professor in the school where he directs the Master of Urban Design program. He succeeds Ray Gastil in his new role, formally known as the David Lewis/Heinz Endowments Directorship of Urban Design and Regional Engagement.