Interdisciplinary Studios

Students from diverse design disciplines engaged in an immersive, community-centered experience. They explored the intersection of water infrastructure and placemaking through real-world challenges. By conducting fieldwork, drone mapping, and collaborating with local stakeholders, students developed integrated design strategies that supported flood resilience, ecological health, and civic connectivity. Rooted in sustainability and community impact, the studio fostered innovation, critical thinking, and meaningful engagement with pressing environmental issues.

In this collaborative studio, student teams designed a destination hotel in rural Japan’s Shimane Prefecture. The project focused on creating a unique hospitality experience that blends regional culture with thoughtful design. Proposals addressed the needs of both leisure and business travelers, emphasizing comfort, functionality, and a strong sense of place.

As part of the studio, students participated in a 7-day trip to Japan, gaining valuable cultural insight and hands-on experience that enriched the design process. Students also took part in a three-day design workshop with peers from Shimane University, deepening their understanding of place-based hospitality through international collaboration.

Students explored the history and impact of the World’s Fair through the lens of print media and design. Combining studio practice with art history, students investigated how print has shaped presentation, advertising, and identity in global exhibitions. Through research and hands-on making, they created both 2D and 3D print-based work that responded to themes of representation and world-building.

The course concluded with a 15-day study abroad experience in Japan, including a visit to the 2025 World Expo in Osaka and a traditional mokuhanga workshop in Echizen.

In this interdisciplinary studio, students explored the intersection of biology, design, and technology through the Biodesign Challenge, a global competition focused on sustainable innovation. One team was selected to present their project, “AlgaeLink,” at the 2025 Biodesign Challenge Summit in New York City.

The studio encouraged students to think critically about global challenges and design imaginative, science-based solutions with real-world impact.

Students visited Cedar Falls, Iowa, to explore design opportunities for transforming a flood-prone area into a vibrant recreational district along the Cedar River. They developed strategies to enhance quality of life for residents while creating a destination that draws visitors and strengthens community connections.

This studio explored trail and greenway design through the lens of the Great American Rail-Trail. Students examined how trails can connect communities, support ecosystems, and shape both rural and urban landscapes. Through mapping, fieldwork, and community engagement, they developed ideas for multifunctional corridors that promote cultural, ecological, and economic vitality. Site visits included Boone County, Iowa, and Washington, D.C., offering diverse perspectives on trail-oriented design.