After 19 years, things look very much the same at the UVA School of Architecture
This past week I returned to the UVA School of Architecture to give a lecture on sustainable design. Walking through the studios many things are the same as when I was an undergrad student. From the scraps of paper on the floor, parts and pieces of models. wood hutch storage cabinets on the desks to Frank on the wall, things appeared to be very much the same.
W.G. Clark had a nice display of his years of work in what used to be a jury room. The bass wood models and prototype studies brought back memories.
Some things have been upgraded since I graduated. The naug lounge has bright colors and new seating.
Instead of drafting boards there are computers and 3D printers.
There was one change that was very disappointing. The model of Jefferson’s University built in 1926 used to have a prominent display area in the naug. Now it has been discarded to a corner under the stair with recycling bins and ladder storage. This model should have a premier location to celebrate the history of the University and model building.
Returning to School of Architecture each year to present on green building is a joy for me. I love seeing what the students are working on and challenging a new generation to think about design through a sustainable lens. As time passes the landscape around the architectural building, Campbell Hall, has changed dramatically, but the heart of the Architectural School, the studio, remains a vibrant place of discovery, debate, and investigation.