The USC School of Architecture and the USC Architectural Guild are pleased to announce the recipients of the 2023 USC Architectural Guild Awards. The program, on March 21st at Warner Bros. Studios, will honor Issa Rae, Mark Rios ’78, Michael Hackman, Reza Safavi ’84, Behnaz Farahi ’13 and Jim House ’81 for their efforts in redefining the creative landscape. |
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Five student teams win big in this year’s weeklong challenge to create a Media Incubator Center for Creative Content. See the work in the Gallery of Winners.
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Mejia Elias awaits word on her college applications. As the first in her family to attend college, Mejia Elias is thinking about pursuing a degree in interior design. And after the A-Lab experience, many of her classmates are also open to studying architecture in college. |
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The lectures will present a wide range of topics, including gender-inclusive design, urban history, civic engagement, monuments, lightweight surface systems, videogames about social and political issues, and sustainable built environments to spark critical conversations and to inspire change in the field. |
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The Black Landscape Architects Network’s inaugural Edward Lyons Pryce Scholarship recognizes the important role Black landscape architects play in the profession.
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USC Architecture alumni and faculty continue to make bold impacts in the built and unbuilt environment in Los Angeles and beyond! See the alumni and faculty who have been named winners in the American Institute of Architects Los Angeles 2022 AIA|LA Design Awards and Next LA Awards!
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Kicking off 2023, Architect connected with USC School of Architecture to learn more about one of its graduate studios taught by instructors Ryan Tyler Martinez of Studio Ryan Tyler Martinez and Jimenez Lai of BUREAU SPECTACULAR.
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NEW MAJOR GIFTS FROM ALUMNI SPUR INNOVATION AND ALIGNMENT
Amy (nee Boring) Cheng, BArch ’98 and Thomas Kamei, BS Arch ’12
USC Architecture is a forward-looking platform that guides and inspires the next generation of students, designers, and scholars to be Citizen Architects whose work is informed and inspired by the public discourse. In today’s ever-changing, complex world, it is more important than ever to provide our students with the education, technology, and resources they need to be confident within and beyond their discipline and to rise to the most difficult challenges. At USC Architecture, not only do we equip our students with the latest technical skills; we also offer a unique learning experience that enables them to think more critically and creatively, providing hands-on design and fabrication spaces for “making” that would lead to better problem-solving methods. Ranging from site models in our Landscape Architecture + Urbanism program or prototyping of products in our new Bachelor of Science in Architecture + Inventive Technologies (BSA+IT), the construction of physical artifacts will always be an important aspect in the education of architects. Because the application of our creations requires commodity, firmness, and delight (Vitruvius’ Golden Rules), the need to “make” it is imperative.
We are grateful for the generosity from alumna Amy Cheng ’98 which will support new planning and technology for the Digital Fabrication facility, and a new gift from Thomas Kamei ’12 that will help launch the Bachelor of Science, Architecture, Technology, and Innovation (BSATI). We applaud their visionary, inventive philanthropic support to the school, making impactful gifts to seize current opportunities.
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GRADUATE STUDENT SCHOLARSHIP AID BENEFITS FROM GENEROUS ALUM
Warren H. Lortie, ’66 of Corona del Mar, responded to former Dean Milton S. F. Curry’s call to action for graduate student aid in 2020 with generous annual scholarship support that has made real-time, direct awards to 50 students over the past three years. The Graduate Student Excellence Fund was seeded by Warren Lortie and receives gifts of all sizes from alumni and non-alumni friends of USC Architecture around the world.
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LEGACY GIFT FROM TIMOTHY J. SMITH, ’69 BArch WILL SUPPORT UNDERGRADUATE SCHOLARSHIPS
With more than 68% of Architecture students receiving aid, the opportunity to support our students has never been greater. Tim Smith, ’69 along with his wife Sheila Smith, are remembering USC School of Architecture students in their estate plans with a new generous legacy gift in support of student scholarships. Deepest appreciation to Tim and Sheila Smith, along with all the scholarship donors, who increase access and affordability for our talented students.
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EMERGING PROFESSIONAL AND ARCHITECTURAL GUILD BOARD MEMBER MAKES SPECIAL REMARKS AT A-LAB GRADUATION
John Vincent Romero Hernandez, BArch ’18, designer with the Los Angeles office of Skidmore, Owings, Merrill, (SOM) made keynote remarks at the December commencement of the A-Lab Architecture Development Program in partnership with Los Angeles Unified School District, (LAUSD) where 13 high school students graduated from the program in December 2022. Now in its fourth semester, the program increases access and opportunity to the design and architecture academic and professional pathways for youth from underrepresented populations.
In offering remarks, John commented “I have been a fan because this program is helping the architecture and design profession finally reach and engage with young people like you. The profession needs stellar individuals who are colorful creatives, rigorous problem solvers, protectors of the environment and advocates for social justice in your communities, who also - by the way - can design buildings, places, and environments. I wouldn’t be where I am now if it weren’t for my supportive parents, who are with me today; my friends in college and from back home in the Philippines, my professors, mentor figures, colleagues and advocates. They are all constant reminders of my morals, values, where I come from, and what I can do for my community.“ The latest A-LAB program cohort for the Spring 2023 semester features 13 students from Washington Preparatory High School. The A-Lab program, now in its second year and 4th cohort provides access and opportunity to underrepresented high schools in Los Angeles Unified School District, for whom affordability and educational opportunities are an obstacle. More than 40 students have participated in daily, immersive academic and social programming since its inception in 2021.
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BOARD OF COUNCILORS MEETING OF NOVEMBER 2, 2022 FEATURED NEW BOARD COUNCILORS, TRACE WILSON, ’93 AND JOHN LABIB.
Joined by President Carol L. Folt and Interim Dean Willow Bay, Architecture Board Councilors socialized at a university reception for all School Board Councilors at Town & Gown, following its fall board meeting. The Architecture Board of Councilors, the school’s premier advisory group, is represented by 25 industry leaders, with 50% alumni composition.
(Front L to R: Grant Kirkpatrick, ’86, FAIA, President Carol L. Folt, Patty Tung, Jenna Knudsen, ’97 and John Labib, Back L to R: Mauricio Oberfeld ’94, Dean Willow Bay, Jim House, ’81, and Trace Wilson ’93).
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NEW ENDOWMENT CREATED TO HONOR DISTINGUISHED ALUM
This year’s recipient of the USC School of Architecture Lifetime Achievement Award is Mark Rios, FAIA, FASLA, ’78, creative director of the eponymous firm, Rios. In celebration of the award, Mark Rios’ transformative accomplishments and impact will be commemorated in the launching of a new endowment fund, Crossing Design Borders Endowed Speaker Series, Presented by USC Architecture and the USC Vision & Voices Program. Prominent global leaders in art, architecture, design, technology, and related fields will be showcased annually on campus with a lecture and reception. Philanthropic support toward the creation of the fund will ensure resources are available to bring visionary leaders with a wide range of expertise to the USC Community.
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For more information about these programs and to learn more about making a gift please contact:
Kirsten Peterson Johansen
Assistant Dean, Advancement
kirstepj@usc.edu
Liz Iracki
Senior Major Gifts Officer
iracki@usc.edu
Amber Wright
Senior Alumni & Constituency Relations Officer
amberwri@usc.edu
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02/27/23
Harris 101, Gin D. Wong Auditorium, 6:00PM
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03/06/23
Harris 101, Gin D. Wong Auditorium, 6:00PM
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03/20/23
Harris 101, Gin D. Wong Auditorium, 6:00PM
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03/21/23
Warner Bros. Studio, Burbank
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USC School of Architecture is developing ‘citizen architects’ – the next generation of architects and design leaders making direct contributions to the improvement of their communities. The School is committed to making strategic investments to define its future in:
- Transformative student experiences
- Distinguished and diverse faculty
- Influential research and innovative work
- Dynamic learning environments
Donations to the USC Architecture Dean’s Innovation Fund ensure continued access to resources necessary for these demanding degree programs.
Together, we can make a lasting impact for our students and shape the future of the USC School of Architecture. Donate today.
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Being a Trojan is not just about where you received your degree. It’s about the values, the friendships and the experiences that stay with you for a lifetime. Build impactful relationships with your Trojan family and beyond and discover ways to stay engaged and get involved! |
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