School of Architecture and Planning

Professor Jason Montgomery was a guest editor on the recent special issue publication of the academic journal published by UCL Press. He also authored one of the four featured articles, "Addressing urban social and spatial stratification: testing the potential for integration of public housing," as well as a blog entitled, "Housing's Critical Position for the Future of Cities."

Read more at https://journals.uclpress.co.uk/amps/issue/590/info/

The Cultural Expansion Plan is a master plan for the future of southwest Washington, D.C. created by six Catholic University students, now alumni. Andrea Hopkins, Sam Merklein, Casey Nardo, Michael Njo, Juan Soto, and Sebastian Vanderbeck developed a proposal over the past two years with the goal of transforming southwest D.C.

Read more https://architecture.catholic.edu/news-and-events/2024/07/the-cultural-expansion-project.html

Congratulations to rising senior Alyssa Nolan on being awarded a scholarship from the Commercial Real Estate Women (CREW) Network Foundation! Alyssa is among 25 undergraduate students receiving this honor. "The scholarship program supports female students as they pursue university-level education that will lead to careers in commercial real estate."

Read more at https://crewnetwork.org/resources/news/2024/crew-network-foundation-awards-scholarships-to-commercial-real-estate-students

Our Experiences in Architecture instructors have heart eyes for the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden! 😍

Recent graduate Ryan Saidi was interviewed by the 3D rendering software company Lumion, which is the site he used to create his beautiful renderings for his Thesis project. This past spring, Ryan was selected to present 'NAYALA: Cultivating Architectural Memory and Identity' at Super Jury, and was recognized as one of this year's winners.

Read more about Ryan at https://lumion.com/made-with-lumion/ryan-saidi-student-interview

We are excited to welcome this year's crop of Experiences in Architecture students to Crough Center! Our EiA directors and instructors have planned a great program this year!

Read more about hard work that went into the making of our most recent exhibition, Promised Land: Honoring Harriet Tubman. Make sure to come see these student works in person on the Wailing Walls before the end of the summer!

https://architecture.catholic.edu/news-and-events/2024/06/architecture-of-memory-honoring-harriet-tubman.html

Hanging around DC this summer? Come check out the Ruby Geodesic Dome built by students in Associate Dean Tonya Ohnstad's summer build class, located right next to Crough!

We had such a great time last week at our Alumni Reception following day two of the AIA Conference! Thank you for joining us, and keep an eye out for more photos!

If you attended, comment down below your favorite hors d'oeuvres from the evening!

This Friday, our very own Lavinia Fici Pasquina will be a featured speaker at the Italian Cultural Society's annual gala held at the Embassy of Italy.

Read more about the event at this link:

GALA_2024_ | The Italian Cultural Society (Free Valet Parking) Tickets: $250 ICS Members – $325 Non-Members $4,000 – ICS Patrons, VIP Table (positioned closer to the stage) PURCHASE YOUR TICKET Read SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES BECOME A SPONSOR SPONSORS AND DONORS ARE WELCOME TO CONTACT US. INDIVIDUAL DONORS (above $100) will be recognized...

The annual AIA Conference on Architecture and Design is coming to Washington, D.C. from June 5th until June 8th. Among the featured speakers are some Catholic University alumni; read more about their events and how to register: https://architecture.catholic.edu/news-and-events/2024/05/catholic-university-alumni-take-on-the-aia-conference-on-architecture-design-2024.html

Lauren Lombardo is a rising senior studying Architecture, and recently, she was named the 2024 Landmark Conference Player of the Year. This week, she is in Kentucky competing at the NCAA Championships with the Catholic University women's golf team.

Read more: https://architecture.catholic.edu/news-and-events/2024/05/student-spotlight-lauren-lombardo-queen-of-the-green.html

Heading to DC for the AIA Conference? Make sure to join us afterwards for a reception in Father O'Connell Hall! Food and drinks will be provided; head to the link below to RSVP by May 30th!

https://advance.catholic.edu/index.cfm/events:register/home/eventId/590

We are so proud of our graduates who received their Bachelors or Master degrees over the weekend! Congratulations, Class of 2024!

President Kilpatrick recently announced that he has reappointed Mark Ferguson as the Dean of the School of Architecture and Planning. His new term will begin on July 1st, 2024. Congratulations, Dean Ferguson!

Read more here: https://president.catholic.edu/communication/university-update-deans-reappointed-for-new-terms.html

We had a special guest join our panel of jurors during the Studio 202 final reviews: President Kilpatrick popped by to watch Adnan Morshed, Mohammed Bilbeisi, and Marta Botturi’s students present their designs for a new home for the University's president!

Attention CatholicU Alumni in Atlanta! We're hosting a casual happy hour in Buckhead this Wednesday, May 1st -- and would love for you to join us. Grab a friend and make plans to join us today: https://rb.gy/p12pc0

University Research Day was a huge success! Congratulations to our students and faculty who had work showcased during the presentation and poster sessions!

These spot the difference games are getting harder! Spirit Week started off with Twin Day, featuring professors James, Jason and Moh’d and their twins. Can you tell who’s who?

Last fall, senior Olivia DiMattio had the opportunity to present her research on the relationship between climate change and architecture at the UIA Congress in Rome, Italy. She will be presenting her project once again in Koubek, and at University Research Day.

Read more: https://architecture.catholic.edu/news-and-events/2024/04/climate-change-and-displacement-by-olivia-dimattio.html

On Friday was our Stop/Go presentations, where Thesis II students presented the early stages of their thesis projects to a panel of our faculty members. The panelists then determine if the students are ready to go on with their projects or stop and reevaluate. As nerve-wracking as it is, it's crucial for getting the best results before juries!

On Monday, we continue our Spring Lecture Series with Yasmeen Lari, founder of Lari Associates! Her lecture will now take place at 5PM instead of 6PM. We look forward to seeing you there!

Jason Montgomery is an associate professor who has worked on several external editorial projects, including one that is in the works right now: 'Transforming the City: Inquiries on Wellbeing in the Urban Habitat'

Read more: https://architecture.catholic.edu/news-and-events/2024/3/spotlight-jason-montgomery-editors-note.html

The School of Architecture and Planning wishes you and your families a happy and healthy Easter Sunday!

Last week, professor CJ Howard attended a book publishing celebration for the “Washington on Foot” 6th edition DC guidebook. Howard was a contributing author alongside three of his former students, Coleman McLaurin, Megan Davey, and Stephen Santos. They were hosted by Bill Bonstra, one of the main organizers and editors of this edition, at his home in Logan Circle. Congratulations, CJ!

Pictured from left to right: McLaurin, Davey, Santos, and Howard

Professor James McCrery is working as the pedestal architect for a statue that is undergoing final application to be placed in the US Capitol Building. The North Carolina General Assembly is awaiting final approval for a statue and pedestal of Reverend Billy Graham to be put in the crypt vault of the Capitol below the main Rotunda. More information will be made public later this year on the status of the statue.