Archinect - News

Syracuse University reappoints Michael A. Speaks for a second term as Dean of the School of Architecture

2023-03-24T11:54:00-04:00

The Syracuse University School of Architecture has announced the reappointment of Dean Michael A. Speaks to another five-year term.

Speaks, at the helm since 2013, has been instrumental in establishing numerous academic and faculty-focused programs, including the Harry der Boghosian Endowed Fellowship Program for emerging academics in architecture.

The former Dean of the University of Kentucky College of Design also worked to establish the school’s China Studies program, which now has studios in Beijing and Shanghai, along with a host of academic exchanges and scholarship programs in South Korea and Taiwan respectively.

“With Michael’s deanship has come a new era of success for the School of Architecture,” Syracuse Provost Gretchen Ritter said of his tenure thus far. “He has extended the school’s reach and enhanced its already strong academic program. I know the school will continue to flourish with him at the helm, and I look forward to our continued work together.”

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What will the future of architectural education look like?

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It's safe to say that nobody knows what the future of architectural education will be. These days it's hard to know what next month will bring us. Few people would argue, however, that academia is ripe for change, as are many facets of modern life that have not evolved at the pace the world has changed in recent decades.

To address this necessary change, we invite you to join us for a special discussion this upcoming Monday, from 1-2 pm EST / 10-11 am PST, featuring a distinguished panel of leaders of architectural education. Deans from across the country will be addressing, head-on, the change they hope to see, and the challenges they currently face to make that change.

To RSVP for this virtual panel, please click the "reserve" button at this link. Space is limited and registration is required to attend.

The Panelists

Hernán Díaz Alonso has been the director of the Southern California Institute of Architecture since 2015, where is held the position of distinguished faculty membe...

Editor's Picks #412

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For the latest edition of Deans List; Amelia Taylor-Hochberg profiled Michael Speaks, the Dean at Syracuse Architecture.

Ken Koense commented "The SU Architecture program stands in stark contrast to what is happening, and has recently occurred at NJIT. Credible, steady leadership at Syracuse, instability in the leadership at NJIT." Jolanda Morkel felt the piece was "Wwll worth a read".

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The roster of over 60 architecture firms and artists who will exhibit their work at the inaugural Chicago Architecture Biennial, was announced. jla-x proposed "Archinect field trip anyone"? Meanwhile Lightperson tried not to get his hopes up "I'm excited to see the new crop of architecture ideas but also get the feeling this will be another Tactical Urbanism show from the usual suspects, the cool European curators".

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Michael Speaks has been appointed as the new Dean of Syracuse's School of Architecture

2013-03-19T14:08:00-04:00

It was announced to the faculty and students today that our new dean is going to be Michael Speaks. I'm pretty excited to see what he can bring to our program as far as a fresh perspective and entrepreneurial endeavors.

Archinect member and current Syracuse student, Nathan Geller, shared the news that was distributed to the Syracuse community earlier today. Michael Speaks will be leaving his position of Dean at the University of Kentucky College of Design to take on the position of Dean of the School of Architecture at Syracuse University.

Official release...

Michael A. Speaks Named Dean of School of Architecture

Syracuse University Vice Chancellor and Provost Eric F. Spina today announced the appointment of Michael A. Speaks to the position of dean of the School of Architecture. Speaks is the current dean of the College of Design at the University of Kentucky, where he is also a professor of architecture. The appointment concludes a national search to replace former Dean Mark Robbins, who stepped down last spring. Speaks will assume his position on July 1.

The former director of the graduate program at the Southern California Institute of Architecture in Los Angeles, Speaks has taught in...

UK design dean: Rupp redo would invigorate city's brand

2012-01-23T13:54:00-05:00

The Rupp Arena, Arts and Entertainment District Task Force hired Gary Bates and his firm, Space Group, as master planners for the district. The group's final report to the Urban County Council and Lexington Center Board is scheduled for the end of January. The initial results from Space Group's study are compelling and should be implemented. How that might happen, and more importantly, how the proposals will be funded, are questions now on the table.

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Previously: Arena master planner: Rupp could be renovated if convention center moved

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Technologies, such as building information modeling and integrated-product delivery, have enabled architecture firms to design better buildings and deliver them more quickly and more efficiently. Yet in today's fiercely competitive global marketplace, efficiency and speed alone are not enough to guarantee market viability. The real differentiator is design—as an engine of innovation and a productive force for creating economic value.

Architect Jeanne Gang no longer involved with CentrePointe, developer says

2011-10-27T20:35:00-04:00

Chicago architect Jeanne Gang, hired in March to come up with a new design for downtown Lexington's empty CentrePointe block, is no longer involved in the project, developer Dudley Webb said Thursday. Webb said Gang and her firm Studio Gang Architects were hired to do a master plan for the block "and share her vision of what she thought this project might be."