San Diego—April 18, 2012—NewSchool of Architecture and Design (NSAD) students and faculty will dedicate the school’s Day of Service to preservation and enhancement efforts for the San Diego River and River Park System on April 27. The daylong event, which is being coordinated by the San Diego River Park Foundation (SDRPF) in partnership with NSAD, reflects the school’s commitment to integrating sustainability and environmental issues through academic programs and community outreach projects.

NSAD’s Day of Service—a campuswide volunteer initiative to give back to the community—supports SDRPF’s mission to create the San Diego River Park System and build long-term stewardship of the river’s unique natural and cultural resources by engaging the public and local businesses in stewardship activities.

“NewSchool of Architecture and Design has emphasized environmental sustainability in its curriculum for many years, and so our decision to focus on the San Diego River for our Day of Service is a natural fit,” said NSAD President Steve Altman. “As sustainability is one of our foundational pillars, expanding ways to contribute to the natural environment is attractive for our students and faculty. At the same time, we are serving our community and leading by example.” 

This year, roughly 300 NSAD students and faculty members are expected to support SDRPF’s goals of restoring the San Diego River back to a healthy waterway and creating a system of adjacent parks and open spaces. NSAD is providing both volunteer labor and funding for materials to complete the following three projects: a landscaping and beautification project at the western entrance to the Mission Valley Preserve; the creation of a nature loop trail that will allow park users to see and connect with the San Diego River; and a second beautification project at the eastern entrance of the preserve.

The project builds on SDRPF’s ties with the architectural community. The foundation has been enlisting architects, planners and artists for its Community Parks Initiative to identify and develop projects for volunteers to make areas along the river safe, inviting and educational.  NSAD students have also contributed to projects with the SDRPF. “The River Park Foundation is pleased to continue and expand our partnership with NSAD in helping to create the River Park for San Diego,” said Richard Dhu, program manager for the SDRPF. “Members of our Board of Directors include renowned designer and adjunct NSAD professor James Hubbell and other visionaries. We also are very fortunate to have four extremely talented NSAD students who work for us through the Federal Work-Study Program on design, science and outreach projects related to the river and River Park.”

NSAD’s commitment to sustainability and environmental issues includes the creation of a landscape architecture program in 2010. Sustainability and environmental issues are also regularly integrated into student work and projects in the general architecture program. For example, a group of NSAD students is currently exploring re-use possibilities for Qualcomm Stadium, which would include eco-friendly designs highlighting the area’s connection with the San Diego River.  Another NSAD class recently developed proposals to reduce polluted storm water runoff in San Diego’s Ocean Beach community.

About NewSchool of Architecture and Design
NewSchool of Architecture and Design (NSAD), founded in 1980, is located in San Diego, California. NSAD is accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS). ACICS is listed as a nationally recognized accrediting agency by the U.S. Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. NSAD’s Bachelor of Architecture, Master of Architecture and Executive Master of Architecture programs are accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB). NSAD also offers a pre-professional Bachelor of Arts in Architecture, a Bachelor of Science in Digital Media Arts, a Bachelor of Science in Construction Management, a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture, a Master of Landscape Architecture, a Master of Construction Management and a Master of Science in Architecture. NSAD was ranked among the top 10 undergraduate architecture schools in the western United States, according to the DesignIntelligence report “America’s Best Architecture & Design Schools 2012.” For more information, visit www.NewSchoolArch.edu.

About The San Diego River Park Foundation
The San Diego River Park Foundation is the only non-profit organization working to restore and enhance the entire San Diego River, from the mountains to the ocean.  Working with a broad-based coalition of over 75 community, civic, and public interest groups, as well as public agencies, elected officials, and civic leaders, the Foundation believes a River Park is a special project that has tremendous potential to benefit not only the current generation but future generations as well.

Media Contact:
Anna Cearley
acearley@newschoolarch.edu
Tel. 1-619-684-8791
Cell. 1-619-301-3701