UA College of Architecture, Planning, and Landscape Architecture

CAPLA graduate applications for the 25-26 Academic Year are now open!

CAPLA offers five distinct graduate programs (with some that can be combined as a dual degree!):

> Master of Architecture
> Master of Science in Architecture
> Master of Landscape Architecture
> Master of Real Estate Development
> Master of Science in Urban Planning

Now more than ever, the world needs design, development and planning leaders with the expertise and innovation to build a more sustainable world.

Learn more: https://bit.ly/3XwFb3l.

Congratulations to David Zuniga, '23 B.Arch for winning the AIA Designing Together Contest with his submission for a reimagined Mexico and United States border as a bi-national park called "A Bi-National Park for Ambos Nogales."

“CAPLA's passionate faculty and supportive community equipped me with the creative confidence to shape my inspired visions and advocate for what I believe should be a profession-wide focus on the societal and environmental responsibilities of architects and design professionals."
-David Zuniga, '23 B.Arch

David is an architectural designer at Nelson Partners in Scottsdale, Arizona.

Read more: https://bit.ly/3XvNgFa

CAPLA Recruiter Cylan Shaffer is tonight to chat with high school students about our undergraduate programs in architecture, landscape architecture and (launching in 2025, real estate!

If you're interested in learning more or curious to know where Cylan is traveling next, go to our CAPLA visit page: https://bit.ly/3X7bQeh

Join us for the CAPLA Club Crawl on Wednesday, September 4, from 5-7 p.m.! Discover exciting clubs, meet new friends and get involved in the CAPLA community!

The Drachman Institute in the College of Architecture, Planning and Landscape Architecture is holding a design competition for CAPLA students and faculty to re-envision the space on the first floor of CAPLA West called the Student and Alumni Center.

Competition entries will be judged by an external jury of national and local design professionals and a mystery celebrity to be announced!

Award winners of the competition will be selected and announced during UA Homecoming week (October 13th through 19th).

All complete and eligible entries will be displayed during the week of Homecoming!

Link to full competition brief: https://bit.ly/3TaXBEe

CAPLA was full of energy yesterday as we welcomed new graduate and undergraduate students to our community!

We can’t wait to see what you will accomplish.

And remember, don’t be afraid to ask for help. We’re all here to support you on your academic journey!

Overheard during CAPLA Graduate Orientation:
Our new grad students each shared their academic backgrounds. Most don’t have a background in architecture, landscape architecture or planning. Some have backgrounds in psychology, sociology, political science, philosophy, creative writing and public health!

B.Arch students are invited to an All-School Meeting on Monday, August 26 at 1 p.m. in the CAPLA West - Sundt Gallery!

> A welcome from Ryan Smith, Director of the School of Architecture
> Orientation and Announcements
> Faculty & Staff Introductions
> Information about the Materials Lab

And come and get an ice pop!

Join us for the CAPLA Homecoming Reception on Friday, October 18! We can't wait to celebrate with you. Explore the newly renovated West Building, meet talented students and see their incredible work, and relive the memories that unite our community. Registration is open now at https://capla.arizona.edu/homecoming

Ladd Keith, an associate professor in the School of Planning and Landscape Architecture, leads the University of Arizona's involvement in a national project to better understand how extreme heat affects communities.

As part of the project, called the Southwest Urban Corridor Integrated Field Laboratory, a crew from the Brookhaven National Laboratory collected neighborhood-level heat data in Arizona's urban areas.

In the next few months and years, Keith and his colleagues will translate the data into better information the government and public can use to stay resilient to heat.

Watch:

Extreme Heat | Southwest Urban Corridor Integrated Field Laboratory Extreme Heat | Southwest Urban Corridor Integrated Field LaboratorySubscribe: http://go.arizona.edu/yt-subscribe Ladd Keith, an associate professor in the Sc...

CAPLA is excited to announce it's offering a new degree in fall 2025 -- the Bachelor of Science in Real Estate!

“Unlike traditional real estate programs that focus solely on finance or design, CAPLA’s curriculum integrates a broad spectrum of disciplines. This holistic approach ensures graduates are well-equipped to handle the multifaceted challenges facing the real estate industry.”
- Daniel Kuhlmann, Assistant Professor of Real Estate Development and Planning

Set against the backdrop of the Sonoran Desert, students in the real estate program will gain valuable experience tackling the region's real estate challenges, including rapid growth, the need for affordable housing, and the impacts of extreme heat.

Read more:

Arizona's only Bachelor of Science in Real Estate program launches fall 2025 The Bachelor of Science in Real Estate comes at a crucial time for the growing real estate industry, which needs a new generation of professionals with a comprehensive understanding of design, urban planning, and real estate finance.

Lecturer Kenny Wong was selected to join the 2024 cohort of the Academy for Public Scholarship on the Built Environment: Climate Action.

Kenny joins other architecture faculty whose research intersects with climate action and climate justice, working to raise awareness and foster increased discourse on these critical issues.

“There are equity, climate and environmental justice components woven throughout the work we do, and this is an opportunity for me to think of new ways to communicate and get those stories into places where it can be impactful," Kenny said.

Read more: https://bit.ly/4d6tOEf

Ladd Keith, associate professor in the School of Landscape Architecture and Planning, explains what heat governance is and why The University of Arizona may be at a "heat-shed moment" for heat research – uniquely positioned to be a leading institution.

"We have a strong foundation in climate research, and we're a land-grant institution that excels at translating science to address the needs of our state."
-Ladd Keith

Read more: https://bit.ly/45HRFHA

We are excited to welcome Jillian Rauch, Ben Fischer, Mat Murray, Ty Peterson, Minha Saadi, and Sama Rashed as they embark on their three-year Master of Architecture journey.

They have already begun their summer immersion courses, tackling fundamental architectonic problems and getting oriented to the unique challenges of the Sonoran desert. They are quickly learning about environmental design and laying the groundwork for their future in architecture.

Interested in joining our community? Applications for the 2025-2026 Academic Year open on September 1!

Learn more: https://bit.ly/3Vyhe9t

Photo caption: From left, Jillian Rauch, Ben Fischer, Mat Murray, CAPLA Lecturer Myles Peña, Ty Peterson, Minha Saadi, and Sama Rashed.

Congratulations to the Sentinel Suns team for winning the 2024 Bank of America Low-Income Housing Challenge!

The annual competition brings together university students from around the country to create forward-looking and feasible projects addressing all aspects of affordable housing development, including community needs, building design, and financing.

The winning team comprised The University of Arizona architecture students Riley Cost, Souhayla Farag, Joshua Gonzalez, Louis Narcisi, Cameron Noble, Sasha Terpilovskaya, and Alyssa Fink. Jacob Schaffer, a master of real estate student, provided real estate expertise for the team.

The second finalist team, called Sonoran Horizon Development, comprised architecture students Maddie Dacumos, Sheyda Maadelat, Jacqueline Maldonado, Alexis Moreno, and Emma Thompson. Isaiah Mays, a Master of Real Estate student, was also on the team.

This year was also the first time two teams from the same college advanced to the finals.

Photo caption: From left, the Sentinel Suns team comprised of School of Architecture students Alyssa Fink, Cameron Noble, Riley Cost, Sasha Terpilovskaya and Joshua Gonzalez. Not pictured are Louis Narcisi, Souhayla Farag and Jacob Schaffer, a Master of Real Estate student.

Read more: https://bit.ly/3VqtE34

Congratulations, Laura Hollengreen!

Laura was awarded the The University of Arizona Faculty Service Award in recognition of her empathetic leadership, transformative teaching and contributions to an inclusive academic environment.

“Her dedication, empathy, and professionalism have made her an invaluable and trusted colleague. She leads by example and positively influences everyone around her. She is a true advocate for students, faculty and staff at every level.”
-Dean Nancy Pollock-Ellwand

Read more: https://bit.ly/4aT5bJE

Cameron Teamor '24, BLA, came to CAPLA from South Bend, Indiana to pursue the intersection of his passions. He found his perfect fit in the landscape architecture program.

"I wanted to choose a program that would allow me to combine my creativity and humanistic approach to create sustainable, aesthetically pleasing outdoor spaces that can positively impact a community.”
-Cameron Teamor

Read more: https://bit.ly/3RaH8yK

Congratulations Alumna Teresa Rosano for receiving the Gerald J. Swanson Prize for Teaching Excellence 🎉 from The University of Arizona

"My role as an educator is to make subject material real and relevant, by incorporating my more than 25 years of professional practice experience into my teaching so that it is tangible, specific, applicable, and memorable."
-Teresa Rosano

Photo credit: Logan Havens

Read more: https://bit.ly/4bh7lnj

Did you know we celebrated the first graduating class of the Bachelor of Landscape Architecture program during our 2024 Spring CAPLA Convocation Ceremony?

We share a few of their stories beginning with Emma Hughes '24, BLA.

"Landscape architecture is about how we can successfully connect and guide people through space. How can we help bridge community ties, how can we re-connect people to the natural world around them, especially in highly dense urban cities? Can we protect our wildlife in specialized gardens or corridors?"

Read her story: https://bit.ly/3wwsElQ

Congratulations to '24 for earning his master's degree in real estate development and being named to the 2024 Academic All-America Second Team by the Intercollegiate Division of the National Wheelchair Basketball Association!

Read his story: https://capla.arizona.edu/studio/class-2024-discovering-strength-adversity

ICYMI: The Spring 2024 CAPLA Convocation Ceremony was held last Friday, May 10 and the recording is available for viewing!

Watch: https://bit.ly/3QNo49v

Convocation 2024 - CAPLA For more videos, visit https://vimeo.com/user/66693034/folder/7075396 Proverbial-dexter-britain-musicbed.mp3 - MB01OHBW44HTD9N Masquerade-dexter-britain-musicbed.mp3-…

Congratulations to the CAPLA Class of 2024! We are so proud of you and we can't wait to see what you will do. 🎓

Go forth and Build a Better World!

More photos to come!

Can't attend the CAPLA Convocation Ceremony on Friday, May 10 in person?

Join us via livestream using this link: https://vimeo.com/event/3688824. The live broadcast begins at 1:45 p.m.