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news since February 09, 2011
Octagon Show Will Feature Work by CoD Faculty, Students and Alumni
January 23, 2012
Twelve College of Design faculty, students and alumni are among 58 artists from eight states whose work has been selected for the 44th National Clay, Fiber, Paper, Glass, Metal, Wood Exhibition, Jan. 27 through April 7 at the Octagon Center for the Arts in Ames. An opening reception will be from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 27, at the Octagon. Juror remarks and presentation of awards will begin at 6 p.m. This is also the opening reception for "Wax On, Wax Off: Encaustic Paintings by Barbara Walton," a solo show by Barbara Walton, associate professor of integrated studio arts. [More...]
Ceramic artist Esther Shimazu to speak at ISU College of Design Jan. 26
January 19, 2012
Ceramic artist Esther Shimazu, best known for her stoneware sculptures of bald, nude, chunky Asian women, will share her inspiration and techniques in a lecture and workshop at Iowa State University this month. Shimazu's presentation, "Someone Had to Make Them—Why Not Me?" will begin at 5 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 26, in Room 411 College of Design. It is free and open to the public. Shimazu also will teach a three-day ceramic workshop from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, Jan. 27; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 28, and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 29, in Room 038 Design. While the workshop registration is full, the public is invited to observe free of charge. [More...]
Urban planning expert Edward Goetz to address disappearance of public housing Jan. 23 at ISU College of Design
January 17, 2012
Over the past 20 years, nearly a quarter-million public-housing units have been demolished in cities across the United States. Some are rebuilt as part of mixed-income, mixed-finance developments, but most are permanently lost. Edward G. Goetz, director of the Center for Urban and Regional Planning at the University of Minnesota, will describe the scope and nature of the demolition effort and implications for public-housing residents and inner-city neighborhoods in a presentation at 5 p.m. Monday, Jan. 23, in Room 130 of the Iowa State University College of Design. The lecture will be followed by a reception in the college's Lyle E. Lightfoot Forum. Both events are free and open to the public. [More...]
Exhibition to highlight collaborative student designs for adaptable, energy-efficient buildings
January 12, 2012
Work by international teams of architecture and landscape architecture students who studied in Berlin last summer will be on display Jan. 18 – Feb. 3 at the Iowa State University College of Design. An opening reception for the "adaptive interface ­– building envelope" exhibition will be from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 17, in the college’s Lyle E. Lightfoot Forum. The reception is free and open to the public. The exhibition, also in the Lightfoot Forum, will feature design projects developed by participants in the ARS Berlin Summer Academy 2011, an intensive five-week program that focuses annually on issues of reorganization and sustainable development within urban environments. [More...]
Twelve towns selected for 2012 Community Visioning Program
January 12, 2012
Twelve Iowa communities have been selected to participate in the Iowa's Living Roadways Community Visioning Program in 2012. They include Calmar, Center Point, Chariton, Colo, Dyersville, Manning, Paullina, Perry, Rock Valley, Schaller, Tripoli and Villisca. The visioning program is sponsored by the Iowa Department of Transportation in partnership with Iowa State University Landscape Architecture Extension and Trees Forever, an Iowa-based nonprofit environmental advocacy organization. [More...]
Science meets art on the river in Iowa State University learning community
December 15, 2011
Freshman biology and design students collaborated this year to create artwork from trash collected by the Skunk River Navy, a service project of the biology learning community. Michael Stanley, a lecturer in integrated studio arts, also was commissioned to create a sculpture from collected trash to be dedicated to the Skunk River Navy volunteers. [Link...]
ISU College of Design names first Bachelor of Design program director
December 07, 2011
Following an internal search, the Iowa State University College of Design has appointed Kimberly Zarecor to serve as the first director of its Bachelor of Design program. Zarecor, an associate professor of architecture, will serve half time (50 percent appointment) through June 2014, and may be appointed to additional three-year terms. She will continue her teaching and scholarly work in the architecture department, now on a half-time basis. [More...]
Sepulveda named ISU College of Design’s student marshal for fall commencement
December 05, 2011
Paola Sepulveda of Ames, formerly of Santa Barbara, Calif., will represent the Iowa State University College of Design as its student marshal at the university's public commencement exercises Dec. 17 in Hilton Coliseum. Her faculty escort will be Carl Rogers, associate professor of landscape architecture. Sepulveda will graduate magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture degree from Iowa State. She is also near completion of her Master of Landscape Architecture (MLA) degree. [More...]
Students honored in ISU College of Design’s 32nd Art and Design Annual exhibition
November 10, 2011
Nine students from Illinois, Iowa and Ohio took top honors in the 32nd Art and Design Annual Juried Student Exhibition now on view in Gallery 181 at the Iowa State University College of Design. The exhibition, which runs through Friday, Dec. 2, showcases 63 creative artworks by 50 Iowa State students majoring in architecture, art and design, biological and pre-medical illustration (BPMI), design open, graphic design, integrated studio arts and interior design. [More...]
ISU's architecture and landscape architecture programs rank in top 10 nationally
November 02, 2011
Iowa State University's undergraduate programs in architecture and landscape architecture are ranked in the top 10 in the nation, according to a new survey of practitioners by DesignIntelligence. The survey places Iowa State's undergraduate architecture program 9th and landscape architecture program 10th in the United States. [Link...]
Building Information Modeling expert Ute Poerschke to speak at ISU Nov. 14
October 31, 2011
Ute Poerschke, a national expert in Building Information Modeling and environmentally conscious design, will discuss different understandings of BIM in education and professional practice as part of the fall-semester Architecture Advisory Council Lecture Series at Iowa State University. Poerschke will present "BIM: Integrated Architecture" at 5:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 14, in Kocimski Auditorium, room 101 College of Design. The event is free and open to the public. [More...]
Public space scholar Rachel Berney to speak at ISU College of Design Nov. 10
October 27, 2011
Rachel Berney, an assistant professor of landscape architecture, urban design and planning at the University of Southern California, will highlight the efforts of two South American cities to reinvent themselves through public space in a presentation Thursday, Nov. 10, at Iowa State University. Berney will speak on "Visible Competency: Shaping Capital through Public Space in Latin America" at 12:30 p.m. in room 130, College of Design. The event is free and open to the public. [More...]
Finalists announced in Des Moines Water Works Park design competition
October 26, 2011
Des Moines Water Works, in partnership with Iowa State University's Department of Landscape Architecture, today (Oct. 26) announced finalists in the "Parkitecture" international design competition for Water Works Park. Submissions included 25 student entries and 19 professional entries from firms throughout the U.S., England and Egypt. A panel of nine judges selected five professional finalists as well as nine student honorees from the 44 submitted design proposals. [More...]
Architect David Heymann to address building-landscape relationship Nov. 2 at ISU
October 24, 2011
Nationally renowned architect David Heymann, the Harwell Hamilton Harris Regents Professor in Architecture at the University of Texas at Austin, will speak about the complex relationship of buildings and landscape as part of the Architecture Advisory Council Lecture Series at Iowa State University. Heymann, who is also an Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture (ACSA) and University of Texas Distinguished Teaching Professor, will present "Landscape is Our Sex" at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 2, in Kocimski Auditorium, room 101 College of Design. The event is free and open to the public. [More...]
ISU College of Design honors Studio 2030 co-founder with Design Achievement Award
October 24, 2011
Rachelle Schoessler Lynn, a co-founder and partner with Studio 2030, Inc., in the Twin Cities, and a national leader in sustainable design solutions, is a recipient of the 2011 Design Achievement Award presented by the Iowa State University College of Design. Schoessler Lynn, Minneapolis, received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in interior design from Iowa State in 1990. She was honored during Homecoming at the ISU Alumni Association's 80th Honors and Awards Ceremony, Oct. 21. [More...]
ISU College of Design honors Cooper Smith & Company president with Design Achievement Award
October 24, 2011
Sally Cooper Smith, president and creative director of Cooper Smith & Company in Des Moines, is a recipient of the 2011 Design Achievement Award presented by the Iowa State University College of Design. Cooper Smith received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in graphic design from Iowa State in 1983. She was honored during Homecoming at the ISU Alumni Association's 80th Honors and Awards Ceremony, Oct. 21. [More...]
ISU College of Design honors Donald R. Young with Design Achievement Award
October 24, 2011
Donald R. Young, president of D.R. Young Associates in San Rafael, Calif., is a recipient of the 2011 Design Achievement Award presented by the Iowa State University College of Design. Young received a Bachelor of Science in landscape architecture from Iowa State in 1976 and a Master of Landscape Architecture with honors from the University of California, Berkeley, in 1978. He was honored during Homecoming at the ISU Alumni Association's 80th Honors and Awards Ceremony, Oct. 21. [More...]
Student, faculty work in exhibition at International Wolf Center
October 24, 2011
Sixty artworks by ISU students and faculty who participated in the 2010 and 2011 BPMI 395 Field Illustration courses in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness are on display now through May 6, 2012, at the International Wolf Center in Ely, Minn. College of Design lecturer Dean Biechler and Associate Professor C. Arthur Croyle, who teach in the integrated studio arts and BPMI programs, contributed 10 works to the show. The remaining 50 pieces are by 32 students ranging from freshmen through seniors in biological and pre-medical illustration (28), architecture (2) and integrated studio arts (2). The show may be viewed from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays at the wolf center. [More...]
ISU College of Design to host 'apocalyptic' postcard print exhibition in Gallery 181 Oct. 24-Nov. 4
October 21, 2011
The Iowa State University Print Society will host "Apocalypse," the 11th Annual International Postcard Print Exchange Exhibition and Silent Auction, Oct. 24 through Nov. 4 at the ISU College of Design. Exhibition hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays in Gallery 181, located on the first floor of the College of Design building on the west side of the Iowa State campus. Admission is free. The show will open with a joint reception for a three-day display of contemporary prints from the Drive-By Press collection, also in Gallery 181. The reception will follow a lecture on the "History of Western Printmaking 1400-Present" by Drive-By Press founders Gregory Nanney and Joseph Velasquez that begins at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 25, in room 130 College of Design. [More...]
Drive-By Press Founders at ISU Oct. 25-27
October 20, 2011
Artists Gregory Nanney and Joseph Velasquez, founders of Drive-By Press, will visit Iowa State University Oct. 25-27. They will offer lithography demonstrations, participate in student critiques, use woodcuts and a portable printing press to print T-shirts and posters, and present several lectures as well as a discussion with upper-level undergraduate students interested in applying to graduate schools. They will also share a collection of contemporary prints from artists all over the United States. Most events will be in the ISU College of Design building, and all are open to the public. [More...]
Student artists will use construction steamroller to make woodcut prints Oct. 14 in Ames
October 11, 2011
Eighteen ISU College of Design students and students from Augustana College will create large-format woodcut prints with a construction steamroller from about 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday, Oct. 14, at Rueter's, 5815 W. Lincoln Way, Ames. This is the 10th year for the steamroller printmaking event. The public is invited to watch the process. (Rain date is Oct. 21.) The large prints resulting from the steamroller printmaking session will be displayed Oct. 31 - Nov. 11 in the College of Design's atrium, the Lyle E. Lightfoot Forum. [Link...]
AIA Gold Medal winner Peter Bohlin to present Herbert Lecture at ISU College of Design Oct. 19
October 06, 2011
Peter Q. Bohlin, FAIA, winner of the American Institute of Architects' highest individual honor, will present the 2011 Charles E. "Chick" Herbert Lecture Wednesday, Oct. 19, at Iowa State University. Bohlin's presentation, "Soft Modernism: The Nature of Circumstance," will be at 5:30 p.m. in Kocimski Auditorium, 101 College of Design. The event is free and open to the public. [More...]
ISU study finds Iowa's local housing trust funds respond well to affordable housing demand amid rising poverty
October 04, 2011
The Iowa Finance Authority commissioned the ISU College of Design's Department of Community and Regional Planning to analyze the state's Local Housing Trust Fund Program (LHTF). The goal of the study was to better understand how the diverse, decentralized LHTFs function and identify their impact on Iowa's housing-burdened population. The researchers found that the program is responding well to the demand for affordable housing in the state, amid an increase in the number of Iowans in poverty during the program's eight years in existence. [Link...]
ISU architecture lecturer Peter Goché wins craft award
October 03, 2011
Peter Goché, a lecturer in architecture at Iowa State University, received the 2011 AIA Iowa Excellence in Craft Merit Award from the Iowa chapter of the American Institute of Architects at its fall convention Sept. 29 in Des Moines. Goché was recognized for "Water Hutch," which was part of the Bemis Gardens exhibition at the Bemis Center for Contemporary Art in Omaha, Neb., earlier this year. The work also will be exhibited at the Soap Factory in Minneapolis from June through August 2012. [More...]
Turkish ceramic art exhibition, presentation and reception at ISU College of Design Sept. 29
September 21, 2011
David R. Evans, vice president for academic affairs and dean of the faculty at Buena Vista University, Storm Lake, will talk about traditional and contemporary Turkish ceramic art and share a selection of works from his own collection in an event Thursday, Sept. 29, at Iowa State University. Evans, who is also vice president of the Turkish American Society of Iowa, will present "Turkish Ceramics from Istanbul to Iowa" at 5:30 p.m. in the ISU College of Design's Gallery 181. This will be followed by a reception featuring traditional Turkish foods. The event is free and open to the public. [More...]
Davenport art museum exhibits work by ISU architecture students
September 08, 2011
An exhibition of work by advanced undergraduate architecture students from Iowa State University is on display in Davenport through Oct. 23. "Innovative Objects of Design: Museum Proposals for Columbus, Indiana" opened Sept. 3 at the Figge Art Museum. A public reception will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 24, in the museum's Mary Waterman Gildehaus Community Gallery. The event is open to the public. [More...]
Volunteers needed to help visiting Inuit artist Peter Irniq
September 07, 2011
Hosted by the Ames Public Art Commission, internationally recognized artist and cultural teacher Peter Irniq will be in Ames Sept. 18 - Oct. 1 to create traditional landmarks called inuksuit ("likeness of a person")--stone monuments constructed by the Inuit people of northern Canada to aid in navigation. Faculty, staff and students are invited to assist Irniq in constructing his stone sculptures at Emma McCarthy Lee, Brookside and Ada Hayden parks Sept. 20-23 and Sept. 26-30. [More...]
Green design pioneer Bob Berkebile to speak at Iowa State Sept. 9
September 06, 2011
Bob Berkebile, FAIA, a national leader in green design, environmental stewardship and community building, will present the 2011 Curt F. Dale Guest Lecture in Architecture Friday, Sept. 9, at Iowa State University. Berkebile is a founding principal of Kansas City-based BNIM Architects, the 2011 American Institute of Architects Architecture Firm Award winner. The lecture will begin at about 5:30 p.m. in Kocimski Auditorium, 101 College of Design, following the Architecture Premiere 2011 Scholarship and Awards Ceremony, which begins at 4:30. The evening's events will conclude with an opening reception for "Rome Program Exhibition 2011: The Sound of Architecture" in Gallery 181 and the Lightfoot Forum. [More...]
Italian architect Francesco Mancini to speak at ISU College of Design Sept. 7
August 31, 2011
Italian architect Francesco M. Mancini, a design consultant and research fellow with the University of Roma Tre Department of Design and Architecture in Rome, will speak about the impact of technological advances on building design and construction and attempts to achieve a new "Bilbao effect" in a lecture Wednesday, Sept. 7, at Iowa State University. Mancini will present "Technotype: Typology and technology in contemporary architecture—a case study of buildings for spectacle" at 5:30 p.m. in Kocimski Auditorium, 101 College of Design. The event is free and open to the public. [More...]
Work by ISA Associate Professor Teresa Paschke part of Fiber Focus 2011 in St. Louis
August 31, 2011
"A.K." and "Hip-Hop Sampler," two textile artworks by Teresa Paschke, associate professor of integrated studio arts, will be part of the Fiber Focus 2011 exhibition Sept. 6 - Oct. 13 at Art Saint Louis. Juried by artist Lia Cook, professor of art, textiles and graduate studies at the California College of Arts, this biennial exhibition features work by 42 contemporary fiber artists representing eight Midwestern states. A free reception will be from 6 to 10 p.m. Friday, Sept. 16, at Art Saint Louis, 555 Washington Ave., #150, St. Louis, Mo. [More...]
Interlock House finds new home after competing in Solar Decathlon
August 29, 2011
A unique home built by about 200 Iowa State University students now has a new home. It's called the Interlock House, and students continue to learn from the solar-powered structure they built for the 2009 Solar Decathlon. The house now serves as the Iowa Department of Natural Resources' office at Honey Creek Resort State Park, and ISU faculty and students are using it as a lab to monitor energy usage. View the WHO TV 13 news video. [Link...]
Thomas Leslie is first Pickard Chilton Professor at Iowa State College of Design
August 25, 2011
Thomas Leslie, an internationally recognized expert on the history of technology and architecture, has been named the first holder of the Pickard Chilton Professorship in Architecture in the College of Design. Leslie is an award-winning teacher and author, and previously was an architect with one of the world's leading design firms. He will be recognized in a campus ceremony Friday, Sept. 9. [Link...]
Internationally renowned landscape architect Ken Smith to receive Christian Petersen Design Award at ISU
August 17, 2011
Iowa State University alumnus Ken Smith, the landscape architect behind both the Museum of Modern Art Roof Garden in New York and the redesign of Nollen Plaza in Des Moines, is the recipient of the 2011 Christian Petersen Design Award presented by the ISU College of Design. Smith, a Waukee native who lives in New York City, will be honored in a ceremony Monday, Aug. 22, in the College of Design's King Pavilion. A reception will be from 6 to 8 p.m., with the award presentation at 6:45 p.m. [Link...]
ISU study uses iPhone GPS tools to assist 12 Iowa towns with their Safe Routes to School programs
August 15, 2011
An Iowa State University-Iowa Department of Public Health study uses high-tech devices to encourage low-tech solutions to escalating childhood obesity rates in Iowa. This month the researchers are providing the 12 communities with the study results they'll need to achieve the goal: Create safe routes for children to walk and bike to school. Christopher Seeger, ISU associate professor of landscape architecture and extension specialist, spearheaded the project, called I-WALK (Iowans Walking Assessment Logistics Kit). [Link...]
Corning's ISU student-designed house demonstrates energy efficiency can be affordable
August 11, 2011
A new house on the market in Corning effectively joins affordability and energy efficiency, a combination not readily found in the housing of smaller communities around the state. Iowa State University design students designed the "Iowa House" in the spring 2010 Bridge Studio—taught by Nadia Anderson, assistant professor of architecture—as part of a collaboration between federal, state and local agencies and organizations. It was designed to meet the standards of the Iowa Department of Economic development's Green Streets Program, which promotes sustainable building and community design. [Link...]
ISU design student spends summer beautifying Sioux City's downtown
August 08, 2011
Art Vongphakdy, a junior in integrated studio arts from Sioux City, is helping to beautify his hometown by painting a community-themed window mural near the Promenade Theater on historic Fourth Street, just a few blocks from the ISU Design West studio. The project is part of the Student in Residence Program funded by Design West and Sioux City's Downtown Partners. View the KTIV News 4 video [Link...]
Family, fame and friendship lead to new book on graphic design pioneer
August 04, 2011
Through an unusual conjunction of circumstances, family legacy and good fortune, C. Arthur Croyle—an associate professor of integrated studio arts and former graphic design faculty member—recently completed his most extensive research and writing endeavor since he began his academic career: a new book about his grandfather, renowned German artist and designer Max Hertwig (1881-1975). The book was published by Culicidae Press, founded by Mikesch Muecke, associate professor of architecture. [More...]
ISU architecture lecturer Rob Whitehead honored by international educators’ association
July 26, 2011
Rob Whitehead, a lecturer in architecture at Iowa State University, will receive the Building Technology Teaching Award for Emerging Faculty from the Building Technology Educators’ Society (BTES) Aug. 6 at its annual conference in Toronto. The biennial award recognizes excellence in teaching performance, innovation and commitment by an emerging faculty member in building technology education. [More...]
South Korean students gain design and English skills during intensive ISU workshop
July 19, 2011
The ISU College of Design is hosting a group of 15 students from Yeungnam University in Daegu, South Korea, for a three-week intensive design and English workshop, June 30 through July 25. The students begin each weekday with a 90-minute English class followed by about four hours of studio instruction with faculty from the college's graphic design program. [Link...]
2012 Community Visioning Program applications available
July 14, 2011
The Iowa's Living Roadways Community Visioning Program is accepting applications for the 2012 program. Eligible communities are those with populations of fewer than 10,000, existing transportation-related issues and a committee of volunteers willing to dedicate their time and talent to the visioning process. Applications must be postmarked by Sept. 30. [More...]
ISU student project wins national Hospitality Design Award
July 13, 2011
Four recent Iowa State University graduates won the top award in the student project category of the 2011 Hospitality Design Awards for Creative Achievement sponsored by Hospitality Design magazine. William Reihmann, Honolulu; Laura Scallon, Chicago; Jennie Sorensen, Muscatine, and Kevin Wagner, Des Moines, won with their design proposal for "Deck," a luxury resort hotel for South Beach in Miami Beach, Fla. They developed their winning project as seniors in a spring 2010 interdisciplinary design studio. This is the fourth year a student team from Iowa State has been a winner or finalist in the HD Awards competition. [More...]
Board of Regents approves new Bachelor of Design degree at ISU
July 11, 2011
A new design degree program offered by the Iowa State University College of Design provides additional options for students. The state Board of Regents approved the Bachelor of Design degree program at its June meeting. The four-year, studio-based degree consists of one year in the college's freshman Core Design Program followed by three years in the bachelor's program. Students can enroll in the program this fall; however, the college primarily will promote it for fall 2012 enrollment. [Link...]
Cyclodrome project garners local press coverage
July 08, 2011
Fifteen architecture graduate students spent seven weeks this summer building the Cyclodrome -- a mini-velodrome, or banked oval track used for bicycle races. They put the track to the test Thursday evening, July 7, with time trials and pursuit races open to the public. View local media coverage. [More...]
ISU College of Design alumni shine at Des Moines Arts Festival
July 01, 2011
While the sun struggled to make an appearance during much of the 2011 Des Moines Arts Festival, June 24-26 in downtown Des Moines, two Iowa State University College of Design alumni had no trouble shining. Christian Vandehaar, Altoona, won Best of Show in the Emerging Iowa Artists program for his chalk pastel drawings of Iowa farm life. In the professional division, painter Chris Vance, Bondurant, won the Juror Award presented by Reed McMillan, director of The Artist Project New York. [More...]
Rome Program hosts Italian Fulbright student orientation
June 29, 2011
The ISU College of Design Rome Program recently hosted an orientation meeting at the Cenci studio facility for 22 Italian graduate students who will travel to the U.S. as Fulbright grantees in 2011-12. The June 23 meeting included opening remarks and presentations by Pia Schneider, resident director of the Rome Program; members of the U.S.-Italy Fulbright Commission and the U.S. Embassy in Rome; Fulbright alumni and the current Fulbright students. [More...]
ISU studio arts alumni are emerging artists at 2011 Des Moines Arts Festival
June 09, 2011
Nine recent Iowa State University integrated studio arts graduates are among 22 Emerging Iowa Artists selected to exhibit their work at the 2011 Des Moines Arts Festival, June 24-26 in Western Gateway Park. Emerging artists from Iowa State this year include 2011 graduate Jenna Weir, Sioux Falls, S.D.; 2010 graduates Jessica Dean, Newton; Patrick Doubet, Mt. Vernon; Sarah Hutchison, Urbandale; Elizabeth Mason, Ames, and Sarah Pargulski, Des Moines; and 2009 graduates Maureen Burke, Ames; Julie Solberg, Eagan, Minn., and Christian Vandehaar, Altoona, all of whom received Bachelor of Fine Arts degrees in integrated studio arts. [More...]
ISU architecture students are building nation's smallest velodrome for Des Moines
June 09, 2011
They're calling it Cyclodrome. And deep in the bowels of Iowa State University's College of Design, the 15 architecture graduate students are working at a frenetic pace to build it. Even though they had never before seen, ridden or even heard of a velodrome. Even though no plans or dimensions existed to guide them. But the nation's smallest velodrome should be ready to roll in Des Moines on July 8. That is, if all goes according to schedule. And if their math is right, their angles are straight, their transitions are smooth and their connections are strong. The students, non of whom were architecture majors as undergrads, are in Associate Professor Jason Alread's intenstive "Service Learning" summer course. [Link...]
Researchers will begin tracking performance of ISU Solar Decathlon House at Honey Creek State Park
June 09, 2011
When Iowa State University participated in the U.S. Department of Energy's 2009 Solar Decathlon competition, the plan was to eventually monitor the long-term performance of the solar-powered Interlock House, which was designed and constructed by students. The house has been reassembled at the Iowa Department of Natural Resources' Honey Creek Resort State Park for use as the nature interpretive center and staff offices. And Iowa State researchers -- including Ulrike Passe, assistnt professor of architecture and director of the Center for Building Energy Research -- are gearing up to track the building's performance in Iowa's climate. [Link...]
ISU landscape architecture program partners with Des Moines Water Works on park design competition
June 06, 2011
Des Moines Water Works, working in partnership with Iowa State University's landscape architecture program, today (June 8) launched "Parkitecture," an international design competition for Water Works Park. The competition, aptly named for its emphasis on the fundamental role landscape architecture and design play in re-envisioning Water Works Park, will seek proposals from professional designers and will offer students the opportunity to submit design concepts in an honorarium category. [More...]
Iowa State landscape architecture professor Mimi Wagner earns regional honors
May 25, 2011
Associate Professor Mimi Wagner received a 2011 Award of Excellence in Research for "Residential Bioretention Reduces Runoff" and a 2011 Merit Award in Planning and Analysis for "Developing Water Trails in Iowa" at the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) Central States Conference, May 5 in Des Moines. The Award of Excellence is the highest award presented by the regional conference. [More...]
Two ISU College of Design student projects share 2011 Hansen Prize
May 18, 2011
An interdisciplinary team of architecture and landscape architecture students at Iowa State University took first place in the 2011 Richard F. Hansen Prize competition hosted by the ISU architecture program in April. Team Re:Quay (pronounced "key")—Jihee Chung, Ulsan, South Korea, and Scot Schuckert, Ames, landscape architecture; Chin "Dennis" Leung, Hong Kong, an international exchange student from the University of Western Australia at Perth, and Brandon Wlosinski, Cedar Rapids, architecture—received $2,500 for its winning project titled "Loose Space." Justin Wang, Cedar Rapids, architecture, received $500 for his second-place project, "Reconnect," which he developed with input from several classmates in both architecture and landscape architecture. [More...]
ISU landscape architecture students collaborate with Mitchellville prison inmates, staff on new prison's grounds
May 16, 2011
A seminar class of Iowa State University landscape architecture students has been working with offenders and staff from the Iowa Correctional Institution for Women (ICIW) on the landscape design for the facility's $68 million expansion and modernization. For the past three months, they've been thinking outside the box of typical prison landscape design to envision something truly unique. [Link...]
ISU College of Design senior Jonathan Eimer selected for 2011 Grinnell Artist Residency
May 06, 2011
Iowa State University student Jonathan Eimer is one of five undergraduate artists from four Iowa colleges and universities to be selected for the 2011 Grinnell Artist Residency's Iowa Emerging Artist Residency, June 19 – July 16. Eimer, a graduating senior in integrated studio arts from Fort Madison, will join four other young artists and writers from Cornell College, Drake University and Grinnell College in the one-month residency program, located on the farm of Tom and Alesia Lacina near Grinnell. [More...]
ISU's MCRP program ranks 13th nationally among non-PhD-granting programs
May 04, 2011
According to the "Planetizen Guide to Graduate Urban Planning Programs," Iowa State's community and regional planning graduate program is ranked 13th in the nation among 83 programs that do not grant a doctorate in planning. Iowa State also ranked sixth overall among all Midwestern graduate planning programs, including those that offer a doctoral degree. This is up from 10th place in 2009. [Link...]
Integrated studio arts senior Etienne Blanc is ISU College of Design student marshal
May 02, 2011
Etienne Blanc of Grenoble, France, will represent the Iowa State University College of Design as its student marshal at the university’s public commencement exercises May 7 in Hilton Coliseum. Blanc will graduate summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in integrated studio arts. His faculty escort will be Barbara Walton, associate professor of integrated studio arts. [More...]
ISU architecture professor Kimberly Zarecor named Fulbright Scholar for 2011-2012
April 29, 2011
Kimberly Zarecor, assistant professor of architecture at Iowa State University, has been named a Fulbright Scholar for 2011-2012 to study the effects of current housing reforms on socialist-era neighborhoods in the Czech Republic. The Fulbright Scholar Program sends 1,100 U.S. faculty and professionals to 125 countries each year to lecture and conduct research in a wide variety of fields. The program awards only two scholarships annually for faculty research in the Czech Republic. [More...]
May 13 deadline to register for ISU College of Design summer camps
April 29, 2011
High school students can explore a variety of art and design fields and experience college life and coursework in two residential summer camps hosted by the Iowa State University College of Design. The Design Condensed summer camps are open to high school students who will be sophomores, juniors or seniors in fall 2011. Option 1, "Explorations in Art and Design: Space Transformation and Communication," will be July 10-16. Option 2, "Seen and Unseen: Drawing Felt Space," will be July 17-23. Registration deadline is 5 p.m. Friday, May 13. [More...]
Seven ISU College of Design faculty earn promotions, tenure
April 28, 2011
At its April 28 meeting in Ames, the Board of Regents, State of Iowa, approved promotions for seven Iowa State University College of Design faculty members for the 2011-12 academic year. Those promoted to associate professor with tenure include Paul Bruski and Carol Faber, graphic design; Brent Holland, integrated studio arts; Gary Taylor, community and regional planning; and Kimberly Zarecor, architecture. Those promoted to full professor (already tenured) are Thomas Leslie and Lynn Paxson, architecture. All promotions take effect Aug. 16, 2011. [More...]
ISU College of Design, Bioeconomy Institute partner on biorenewables-inspired art show
April 26, 2011
The College of Design and Bioeconomy Institute at Iowa State University helped mark Earth Day by announcing winners in the second annual Biorenewables Inspired Juried Student Art Competition. "Flora, Fuels, Future," a collaborative mixed-media piece by Naomi Friend, Sioux Center, and Heather Whittlesey, Newton, took Best in Show ($750). Other award winners included Troy Chebuhar, Burr Ridge, Ill., first place ($250), "Reincarnation" (recycled/found object sculpture); Peter Kasper, Tiffin, second place ($125), "Plate #2" (hard maple); and Derek Zarn, Davenport, third place ($75), "Seeded Idea" (ceramic, silver leaf). [More...]
Work by architecture professor Peter Goche part of Bemis Gardens exhibition
April 25, 2011
Current work by Peter Goche, lecturer in architecture in the Iowa State University College of Design, will be on display this summer in the Bemis Gardens exhibition at the Bemis Center for Contemporary Art in Omaha, Neb. Goche's "Water Hutch" is part of an ongoing exploration focused on the production of marks and markers. Reminiscent of the many waterways that meander through the Midwest, the work consists of a sinuous line made up of three oxbows. The constituent forms are constructed of built-up dimensional lumber. (Photo by Cameron Campbell) An opening reception will be 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, April 29. [More...] [Link...]
ISU College of Design students sweep the honors in 2011 Focus Juried Exhibit
April 15, 2011
Students from the Iowa State University College of Design swept the honors in the 2011 Focus Juried Exhibit, on view through Monday, May 2, in the Gallery of the Iowa State Memorial Union. Sixty-five artists submitted 150 entries, of which 41 artworks by 34 artists were accepted. Meghan Flynn, a senior in integrated studio arts from Hartley, won Best in Show for "Lepidoptera." The exhibition was juried by Kenneth Hall, assistant professor of painting and drawing at the University of Northern Iowa. [More...]
Architecture alumni establish first endowed faculty position in ISU College of Design
April 14, 2011
Two Iowa State University architecture alumni who have led the design of some of the world's most widely known buildings have established the first funded endowed faculty position in the College of Design. Jon Pickard, FAIA, RIBA, and William Chilton, FAIA, RIBA (both BA 1976 Architecture), co-founders and principals of Pickard Chilton in New Haven, Conn., have created the Pickard Chilton Professorship in Architecture to support the recruitment and retention of Iowa State faculty who are leaders in the advancement of progressive architectural education. [Link...]
Experts will discuss affordable housing for flood-prone areas April 21-22 at ISU
April 13, 2011
Experts in affordable housing, disaster resilience and sustainable design will join local housing and planning officials and nonprofit and for-profit housing developers for "The Symposium on Affordable Housing and Disaster Resilience," April 21-22, at Iowa State University. They will discuss strategies for the continuing development of sustainable neighborhoods and affordable housing in flood-affected areas of Cedar Rapids. The symposium will be at the Environmental Health and Safety Services Building Learning Center, on the north side of campus. Although the focus is on Cedar Rapids, strategies discussed will be of interest to those concerned with affordable housing in flood-affected neighborhoods in other towns. Two sessions are free and open to the public on Thursday: the project presentation and preliminary discussion from 9 to 11 a.m., and discussion of next steps for Cedar Rapids, 1 to 5 p.m. [Link...]
Awards announced in ISU College of Design’s BFA Senior Student Exhibition
April 13, 2011
Six Iowa State University students majoring in integrated studio arts took top honors in "No Expiration Date," the 2011 BFA Juried Senior Student Exhibition now on view in Gallery 181 at the ISU College of Design. The exhibition, which runs through April 21, showcases creative artworks by 55 Iowa State seniors who will receive Bachelor of Fine Arts degrees in Integrated Studio Arts in 2011. The exhibition was juried by Letitia Kenemer, fine arts coordinator and Workspace director for the Iowa State Memorial Union. [More...]
Disney game designer will speak, judge student game design competition April 20 at ISU
April 11, 2011
Nathan Sumsion, senior game designer at Avalanche-Disney Interactive Studios, will be at Iowa State University to speak about video game designing and judge the ISU Game Development Competition. His talk, "Spelling it Out: The Communication Roles of a Game Designer," will be at 7 p.m. Wednesday, April 20, in the Memorial Union Great Hall. It is free and open to the public. The winners of the game development competition will be announced immediately following Sumsion's presentation. [Link...]
Work by ISA professor Teresa Paschke in 'Green' exhibition at D.C.'s Textile Museum
April 11, 2011
Work by Teresa Paschke, ISU associate professor of integrated studio arts, will be on display April 16 - Sept. 11 in the "Green: the Color and the Cause" exhibition at the Textile Museum in Washington, D.C. The show opens with a reception at 7 p.m. Friday, April 15. [More...] [Link...]
Students Sought to Help Stabilize Eroding Gully
April 09, 2011
ISU students are invited to help construct a living willow wall to stabilize an eroding gully at a site located near the Cy-Ride green line in Ames. Construction will take place from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday this week, April 12-14. Work will include preparing the site, collecting plant materials and weaving the living wall. Contact Mimi Wagner, associate professor of landscape architecture, mimiw@iastate.edu, for more information and directions. Wagner's LA 402 students constructed four living willow walls on site on April 6.
Gmelch Memorial Sculpture Dedication is April 15
April 09, 2011
A short program dedicating a memorial sculpture in honor of Paula Cowgill Gmelch will begin at 9 a.m. Friday, April 15, in the Lagomarcino Hall courtyard at Iowa State University. The sculpture was designed, produced and installed by Ingrid Lilligren, professor of integrated studio arts. Following the dedication, participants are invited for light refreshments at the Brunnier Art Museum. [More...]
Urban theorist Xiangning Li to give April 13 talk at ISU; concurrent exhibition on Chinese art and architecture runs through April 15
April 06, 2011
Urban theorist Xiangning Li, curator of the "Updating China" exhibition on display at the Iowa State University College of Design, will speak about contemporary Chinese architecture and sustainable urban development in a lecture on Wednesday, April 13. Li will present "Updating China: The Avant-garde and Sustainability in its Contemporary Architecture" at 5:30 p.m. in Kocimski Auditorium, 101 College of Design. The event is free and open to the public. [More...]
Iowa State students will compete at premier human-computer interaction conference
April 06, 2011
Ten graduate students will present their work in May in the Student Design Competition at the CHI (Computer Human Interaction) 2011 ACM (Association of Computing Machines) Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems in Vancouver, British Columbia. CHI, as it's known, is the premier conference on human-computer interaction. The competing teams from Iowa State include several students from the College of Design. [Link...]
Dave Block, pioneer of passive solar design in Iowa, to retire from Iowa State in May
April 04, 2011
Dave Block, a pioneer of passive solar design in Iowa, will retire at the end of spring semester after 38 years on the Iowa State University architecture faculty. A reception in his honor will be from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Friday, April 8, at the home of Tim and Marilyn Finn, 3215 Greenwood Circle, Ames. The public is invited to attend. [More...]
Beijing university’s architecture dean to speak at ISU College of Design April 11
April 04, 2011
Jian Dai, dean of the College of Architecture and Urban Planning at Beijing University of Technology, will talk about "The Past, Present and Future of Beijing" in a presentation April 11 at Iowa State University. Dai will discuss the historical development of the city of Beijing, the role of urban planning since 1950, current issues and its future conceptual plan at 5:30 p.m. Monday, April 11, in Room 411 College of Design. The lecture is free and open to the public. [More...]
Igor Marjanovic, historian of Chicago’s iconic Marina City, to speak at ISU College of Design April 6
March 30, 2011
Chicago has many iconic buildings, but perhaps none as instantly recognizable as Bertrand Goldberg's Marina City, commonly referred to as the "corncob buildings." Igor Marjanovic, co-author of the first book chronicling the history of this architectural landmark, will speak at Iowa State University Wednesday, April 6. His lecture, "Marina City: Bertrand Goldberg's Urban Vision," will be at 5:30 p.m. in Kocimski Auditorium, 101 College of Design. A book-signing will follow. The event is free and open to the public. [More...]
ISU printmaking area ranked in top 20 by U.S. News and World Report
March 28, 2011
Iowa State University's graduate printmaking area is among the country's top 20, according to rankings published recently by U.S. News and World Report magazine. The ISU printmaking area—housed in the College of Design—ranked 20th overall and 13th among public universities in the fine arts specialty rankings of the magazine's annual "America's Best Graduate Schools" survey. Rankings were based on peer opinion data; academic experts were asked to judge the quality of programs in their field on a scale of 1 (marginal) to 5 (outstanding). Graduate printmaking at Iowa State is part of the Master of Fine Arts degree program in Integrated Visual Arts. [More...]
ISU College of Design to host visiting designer Peter Danko March 28-April 1
March 24, 2011
The Iowa State University College of Design will host eco-modernist furniture designer Peter Danko, owner of Peter Danko Designs, as a visiting designer March 28 – April 1. During his visit, Danko will present a public lecture, lead a brown-bag lunch discussion, demonstrate production techniques specific to his work and engage students in a project addressing some of the issues he will raise in his lecture. [More...]
Library exhibit includes book by graphic design students
March 21, 2011
A traveling exhibit, "New Views: Recent Work by Members of the Midwest Chapter Guild of Bookworkers," is on display through May 10 in the Special Collections Reading Room, 403 Parks Library. Included in the show is the collaborative book, "Design Iowa: A Book in Pigtures," created by students in Paula Curran's ArtGR 492/592 Book Publication Design class in fall 2009. Viewing hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. [More...]
Urban designer to speak about municipal agriculture March 23
March 18, 2011
Darrin Nordahl, an urban designer for the city of Davenport, will describe the role of local government in shaping food policy in a presentation Wednesday, March 23, at the Iowa State University College of Design. Nordahl's talk, "Public Produce," will be at 6 p.m. in Room 416 of the Design building. It is free and open to the public. [More...]
‘Smart shrinkage’ expert to speak on challenges of declining cities March 28 at ISU
March 18, 2011
Justin B. Hollander, an assistant professor of urban and environmental policy and planning at Tufts University, will discuss how urban development can be achieved in shrinking cities in a presentation March 28 at the Iowa State University College of Design. His lecture, "From Boom to Bust: How Smart Shrinkage Can Help Formerly Growing Places Manage Decline," will be at 3 p.m. in Room 130 of the Design building. The presentation is free and open to the public. [More...]
Design student teams to showcase research at State Capitol March 22
March 10, 2011
Six College of Design students are among 25 Iowa State University undergraduates who will present their research to legislators and others during the sixth annual "Research in the Capitol." The event will be from 11:45 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 22, in the rotunda of the State Capitol building in Des Moines. [More...] [Link...]
'Iowa Sampler,' curated by Teresa Paschke, at Gallery in the Round Feb. 26-April 23
February 22, 2011
"Iowa Sampler," an exhibition of diverse artwork by seven members of the international Surface Design Association (SDA), will be at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Ames' Gallery in the Round from Feb. 26 through April 23. Curated by Teresa Paschke, ISU associate professor of integrated studio arts and Iowa representative for the SDA, the show will open with a reception from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Friday, March 4, at 1015 Hyland Ave., Ames. [More...]
ISU Design West announces summer workshops for middle and high school students
February 14, 2011
The Iowa State University Design West Studio will expand its summer programming this year to include design workshops for both middle and high school students at its facility in Sioux City. [More...]



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