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.
In this edition of the e-SPAN Newsletter, we explore how social justice work can happen in the architecture field. We speak with two alumni who put these principles to work in their professional lives: Nina Barbuto (B.Arch ‘07), Executive Director of Assemble in Pittsburgh, and Paúl Moscoso Riofrío (MUD ‘18), whose work at the US-Mexico border pursues cross-border solutions to environmental and social challenges. We also showcase student work tackling social justice issues, advised by Stefan Gruber and Jonathan Kline, and look forward to the relaunch of the UDream program and Spring Carnival.
In this issue of e-SPAN, we honor the work of Valentina Vavasis, Sarah Rafson and Steve Lee, three beloved faculty members. We speak with Valentina, whose expertise in real estate, community development and professional ethics is braided together with her deep care for—and curiosity about—humans and human community. Sarah reflects on her years as Carnegie Mellon Architecture’s Curator of Public Programs, and the inquiry they’ve opened and the conversations they’ve inspired. And we highlight Steve, alumnus, professor and former Head of School, who is retiring after 43 years with the school.
