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UNC Charlotte’s architecture school to be renamed following alumnus donation

2022-11-28T13:11:00-05:00

The University of North Carolina at Charlotte’s School of Architecture is to be renamed the David R. Ravin School of Architecture following a donation from the school’s alumnus David Ravin. The donation, whose amount has not been disclosed, will be used to support students, pay for international studies, and finance university initiatives.

Ravin graduated from the school in 1994 with a BA in Architecture before attending the University of Michigan and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Today, he is the president and CEO of Northwood Ravin, a development, construction, and property management firm.

The new David R. Ravin School of Architecture sign. Image © Jacob Scannell/Courtesy of UNC and David R. Ravin School of Architecture.

David Ravin photographed during the Ravin School of Architecture Announcement Ceremony (2022). Image © Jacob Scannell/Courtesy of UNC and David R. Ravin School of Architecture.

"There is no right answer in architecture,” Ravin remarked at a ceremony ...

UNC Charlotte architecture professor awarded $1 million grant towards incorporating algae in windows

2022-09-08T10:02:00-04:00

A professor of architecture from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte has been awarded a $1 million grant for the development of windows that incorporate screens of microalgae. Professor Kyoung Hee Kim, who has spent decades researching the topic, believes her “biochromic windows” will offer multiple environmental, economic, and health benefits.

Image via EcoClosure

The system is designed to reduce building energy consumption and carbon dioxide emissions through "closed-loop regenerable technology." According to Professor Kim, the algae layer can increase energy efficiency and improve air quality, carbon capture, and renewable energy production. The tint and color of the algae can also respond to solar intensity and daylight to create optimal indoor conditions.

Excess algae can be used to support domestic water heating or harvested and used in the development of food, fertilizer, cosmetics, and biofuels, according to Professor Kim’s company EcoClosure.

“Algae has very effe...

Architect and educator Blaine Brownell is named Director of UNC Charlotte School of Architecture

2020-03-19T13:00:00-04:00

Architect and educator Blaine Brownell has been named as the new director of the School of Architecture at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte’s College of Arts + Architecture.

Brownell is currently a professor and interim head of the University of Minnesota’s School of Architecture, where he has previously led the school’s graduate studies and Master of Science in Architecture—Sustainable Design programs.

According to a press release published by University of North Carolina, Brownell is a former Fulbright scholar who has authored eight books, including most recently Matter in the Floating World, a book published by Princeton Architectural Press that explores Japanese design. Brownell was recently elevated to the American Institute of Architects College of Fellows.

Academically speaking, Brownell’s research focus revolves around issues of sustainability and materiality. He is a widely published author, both in academic and popular publications, including The New York T...

Architecture students at 17 schools will get licensed quicker with help from NCARB's new licensure program, IPAL

2016-12-13T19:36:00-05:00

The recently introduced IPAL, or Integrated Path to Architectural Licensure, promises to streamline the architectural licensure process for students at 17 universities and colleges by incorporating the Architectural Experience Program into the curriculum. Licensure, which is required by a majority of the fifty states and governing agencies in Canada, usually takes a few years of intense study and rigorous examinations after one's initial formal education is complete to attain. Initiated by NCARB, the in-school program will enable students to also take the ARE. Here's a full transcript of the press release:

Friends,The road to licensure for architects is getting shorter and shorter, thanks to a recent initiative spearheaded by the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB).

The Integrated Path to Architectural Licensure (IPAL) provides students the opportunity to complete requirements for licensure while they are still earning their degree. Through the initiative, sc...

Get Lectured: University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Fall '16

2016-10-05T13:58:00-04:00

Gearing up for another eventful school year this fall? Archinect's Get Lectured is back in session. Get Lectured is an ongoing series where we feature a school's lecture series—and their snazzy posters—for the current term. Check back frequently to keep track of any upcoming lectures you don't want to miss. Mark those calendars!

Want to share your school's lecture series? Send us your school's lecture series poster and details to connect@archinect.com.

Have a look at what events are coming up at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, School of Architecture.

Oct 11
SYMPOSIUM: THE FUTURE OF DESIGN: ARCHITECTURE + DIGITAL FABRICATION
Keynote Speakers:
Cory Brugger, Morphosis Architects - “Exploring Process: The Role of Materials + Fabrication”
Josh Bone, JB Knowledge - “Advances in Digital Fabrication”
Patrick Mays, AIA, Dessault Systems - “The Third Wave: Design for Manufacturing + Assembly”
8-5 at Storrs Hall I Digital Fabrication Lab

Oct 19
INHABITING LANDSCAPES: ARCHITECTURE IN THE PU...

Computer Science + Architecture Dual Masters Degree makes new connections to industry at UNC Charlotte

2015-01-20T18:37:00-05:00

This post is brought to you by the School of Architecture at UNC Charlotte

The Dual Degree in Architecture and Computer Science/Information Technology is a two-year curriculum with tightly integrated coursework, research and faculty. Upon completion of the curriculum, students will receive both a Master of Architecture III degree and a Master of Science in Computer Science or Information Technology. The program has collaborated with national design firms, Autodesk and other architectural product manufacturers.

The premise of the dual degree program is that design has become increasingly important to computer scientists and at the same time computation has become important to designers. This program is a unique curriculum that systematically combines the strength and insights of these disciplines.

↑ Advanced Architectural Composites- Installation under way in the Fall of 2013 of a series of composite wall component tiles in Storrs Hall, UNCC.

As computing has matured as a discipline,...

New Dual Master's Degree in Design and Computation at UNC Charlotte

2014-03-26T13:47:00-04:00

↑ Ripple Wall- The Ripple wall installation, is composed of entirely friction components, exemplifying the use of digital tectonics made available through digital fabrication equipment.

As computing has matured as a discipline, it has expanded its focus to include the physical and virtual settings in which users interact with the machine. Specialties like human computer inte...