NAAB Architecture Program Report (APR) 2013 - Tulane School of ...

Tulane UniversityArchitecture Program ReportSeptember 2013Strategic Priorities to Guide the ProcessMissionThe mission of the Tulane School of Architecture is to prepare students for leadership positions in thedesign professions and in their communities. This school aspires to provide the highest qualityprofessional education in architecture, to develop and conserve knowledge, and to promote excellenceand innovation in architecture, landscape urbanism, preservation, and urban and environmental designand development. The School aspires to reach many students within and beyond Richardson MemorialHall (RMH) through undergraduate minors in Architecture, a Certificate in Preservation, and through theminor in Social Innovation and Social Entrepreneurship (SISE). The School recognizes the centrality of“design thinking” as a process of synthesis that incorporates history, theory, technology, economics,behavior, and culture. The School supports diversity and meaningful engagement with urban andcommunity issues, while embracing the creative potential and imperative of sustainable design.I. Building Opportunity – Community Buildinga. Enrich community engagement opportunities for students and faculty through the existingcenters and curricula.b. Continue strategic partnerships with non-profit organizations through Tulane City Center andURBANbuild with projects ranging from visioning studies to design/build.c. Expand direct engagement with the City of New Orleans government and agencies around keyprojects and opportunities with diverse community groups that can improve the social andeconomic vitality of the community.d. Develop and implement “PRESERVEbuild” opportunities.e. Continue to develop Career Services support for students in an effort to position them forprofessional success within and beyond school.f. Renovate Richardson Memorial Hall to better support these activities and to become a magnetfor community collaboration within RMH in addition to our already robust outreach.g. Provide facilities for and a symbolic representation of Tulane Empowers and the SocialInnovation/Social Entrepreneurship program.h. Implement new CNC fabrication facility for student and faculty use.II.Diversity and Inclusive Excellencea. Explore the multiple implications of diversity in the academic setting of the Tulane School ofArchitecture.b. Expand diversity in the student population at both undergraduate and graduate levels.c. Partner with other institutions and organizations (local high schools, magnet design highschools around the US, historically black colleges and universities) to construct a “pipeline” andsupport for diverse students.d. Experiment with the curriculum, including electives and required courses, in ways that mayincrease diverse content and involve new modes of instruction.e. Posit new modes of engagement to address issues of globalism and international diversity inways that challenge traditional notions of “study abroad.”f. Explore new ways of engaging diversity in the context of the lecture series and exhibitions.g. Identify and further develop the nexus between diversity and excellence.III. Social Innovationa. Provide opportunities for the SISE program to help undergraduate students from across theUniversity develop skills to strengthen their ideas about implementing social change. (The SISEStrategic Plan is currently under development and will lead to a coordinate major within twoyears.)b. Experiment with Tier 1 and Tier 2 service learning opportunities for undergraduate students inthe School while exploring different modes of experiential learning.c. Work with students to re-conceive Architects’ Week to become an effective engine ofexploration for design and social entrepreneurship.11