Collegiate Times

Design Futures Council has recognized the excellence of Virginia Tech's School of Architecture from its curriculum to its professors.

For the past 10 years, the Design Futures Council has published its list of America's Best Architecture and Design programs, most recently through the use of its trade journal, DesignIntelligence.

Tech's undergraduate architecture programs ranked No. 2 among 18 other institutions, including Cornell University and Syracuse University.

The school of architecture has gained national recognition for many reasons.  

"We have great students, extraordinary faculty, exceptional facilities, and great support from the university for our initiatives beyond the borders of the university," said Scott Poole, director of the School of Architecture.

Every year, DI compiles a preliminary list of eligible programs for their ranking. A survey is mailed via its database of private U.S. firms employing architects.  The firms are asked to provide their opinion on a variety of aspects including which schools best prepare students for success in the architecture profession.

"Firms are impressed with our graduates," said Kathryn Albright, assistant director for the School of Architecture. "They have the skills and design abilities and aspects that are important to the practice of architecture."

Albright said most architecture schools will focus more on the product than the design process and that Tech's program includes both in their curriculum, which sets us apart.

"Without a well-developed design process, it's difficult to design a good building," Albright said.

The program is known for its competitiveness.  According to Poole, more than 900 students apply for 100 undergraduate spots and the department has received 400 applications for 100 graduate slots.

Also recognized by DI were two faculty members of the College of Architecture and Urban Studies as two of its "Most Admired Educators of 2009."

"The school of architecture and design is pleased to have five faculty honored with this distinction in the past few years," said Jack Davis, one of two members of the CAUS faculty recognized by DI. This commendation was also given to Professor Robert Dunay.

Dean of the College of Architecture and Urban Studies, Davis has been endowed as the Reynolds Metal Professor of Architecture and is a fellow of the American Institute of Architects. Dunay, former associate dean of the CAUS, is the current director of the Center for Design Research.

Those honored in the past from Tech include professors Gene Egger, Ronald Kemnitzer, and Ed Dorsa. Davis and Dunay are among 24 other educators to receive this honor for 2009, including the president of the AIA, Marvin Malecha of NC State, and a recipient of the Chrysler Design Award, James Corner of the University of Pennsylvania.

"Each year we have had considerable enthusiasm for the faculty at Virginia Tech," said James Cramer, publisher and founding editor of DesignIntelligence, and president of the Design Futures Council, an industry think tank based in the District of Columbia.

It is unusual for two faculty members from the same institution to be cited simultaneously in this honor category, Cramer said.  "Virginia Tech has clearly moved into a role model in higher design and architecture education."

Teresa Tobat contributed to this article.