We are pleased to welcome Professor James Doerfler as the new Director of the Architecture Program.  James comes to us from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo where he was serving as Interim Head of the Architecture Department.  James will oversee the Bachelor of Architecture and the four-year Architectural Studies programs as well as supervising the development of new graduate programs.

Assistant Professor Daniel Chung recently received a $25,000 National Center for Preservation Technology and Training grant to research methods to improve simulation and verification techniques in energy modeling of historic buildings. This research investigates improving energy simulation methods of existing buildings to help model building material assemblies and improve accuracy in energy modeling of historic buildings.

Led by Associate professors David Kratzer (architecture) and Frank Baseman (graphic design), with exhibition advising by Assistant Professor Donald Dunham, architecture and graphic design students collaborated to create an exhibit celebrating the life of Arlen Specter entitled “Single Bullet: Arlen Specter and the Warren Commission Investigation of the JFK Assassination.” that places visitors “in the place of” Specter and JFK during the assassination and the subsequent Warren Commission to understand the nature and gravity of the events.

Associate Professors Carol Hermann, along with Director of Construction Management Greg Lucado and Asst. Professor of Interior Design Jake Tucci, were awarded a University Nexus Learning Grant to work on “A Common Core Experience to Promote Understanding of the Relationships between Professions.” 

Associate Professor Craig Griffen was awarded a University Online Nexus Learning Grant to research best practices for online studio delivery procedures.

Edgar Stach, Professor of architecture, and Assistant Professors of architecture Kihong Ku and Daniel Chung were awarded a university Innovations in Research Grant to conduct new research to support the Philadelphia University MAG Composites Institute. The professors will explore Digitally-driven Fiber Composites for Complex Buildings.

During the Summer of 2013, Assistant Professor Chris Harnish and 7 architecture students traveled to Johannesburg, South Africa, to research the urban conditions in Alexandra Township. The students led community design workshops, conducted interviews of stakeholders, and researched site conditions in a historic youth precinct.