e-SPAN Alumni Newsletter

In this issue of e-SPAN, we delve into a philosophical and practical conversation about AI with Paul Pangaro, Visiting Scholar in Computational Design. We take a look at recent student work from Vector Visions, a fall mini course that introduced students to the use of AI tools in design, taught by Jimmy Wei-Chun Cheng. Finally, we cover recent happenings at the school, including the Pittsburgh Art Book Fair and UDream x AIA Pittsburgh mixer, and look ahead to the upcoming AIAS Northeast Quad Conference: DES[AI]GN: Artificial Intelligence in Architecture, hosted by Carnegie Mellon Architecture students.

In this issue of e-SPAN, we introduce the theme of Artificial (and Othered) Intelligences, which informs this year's Public Programs series. We will explore this theme and the topic of AI in e-SPAN throughout this academic year. We begin with an introduction to the College of Fine Arts AI Working Group led by Associate Teaching Professor Daragh Byrne. We also introduce this fall's public programs series and share footage from this year's EX-CHANGE publication, exhibition and celebratory event.

In this issue of e-SPAN, we honor the work of Valentina Vavasis, Sarah Rafson and Steve Lee, three beloved faculty members. We speak with Valentina, whose expertise in real estate, community development and professional ethics is braided together with her deep care for—and curiosity about—humans and human community. Sarah reflects on her years as Carnegie Mellon Architecture’s Curator of Public Programs, and the inquiry they’ve opened and the conversations they’ve inspired. And we highlight Steve, alumnus, professor and former Head of School, who is retiring after 43 years with the school.

In this issue of e-SPAN, we talk to faculty and students about their recent work engaging artificial intelligence (AI). Thesis work from Vina Wei (PhD-CD ‘28) focuses on architectural fabrication and AI, and Manuel Rodríguez Ladrón de Guevara’s (PhD-CD '23) thesis addresses AI and creativity in AI-generated paintings. In the studios, Jared Abraham shares student work from his “Mobile Home” course where students incorporated Midjourney into their rendering process. And new faculty Vernelle A. A. Noel shares work on machine learning and raises questions about semiotics, semantics, syntax and society in text-to-image generator tools.

In this issue of e-SPAN, we talk to two alumni who are pioneers in sustainable design: Tanya Eagle (B.Arch ‘07) and Jensen Ying (B.Arch ‘13). They each share insights about how to nudge the architectural field towards more sustainable practices and how to find meaning in your work. We also highlight recent happenings at the school, including the new Carnegie Mellon Architecture brand identity and website, a residential project by associate professor Gerard Damiani that was featured in Architectural Record, and remembrances of Professor Delbert Highlands who passed away in July 2023.

We look forward to an already invigorating academic year in the latest edition of the e-SPAN newsletter. We talk to Erica Cochran Hameen, the director of the historically successful UDream program which re-launched this summer after a multi-year pause. We also share stories about student and faculty summer travel, photographs from the EX-CHANGE 2023 launch and a welcome to new faculty at the school.

We look forward to an already invigorating academic year in the latest edition of the e-SPAN newsletter. We talk to Erica Cochran Hameen, the director of the historically successful UDream program which re-launched this summer after a multi-year pause. We also share stories about student and faculty summer travel, photographs from the EX-CHANGE 2023 launch and a welcome to new faculty at the school.

We look forward to an already invigorating academic year in the latest edition of the e-SPAN newsletter. We talk to Erica Cochran Hameen, the director of the historically successful UDream program which re-launched this summer after a multi-year pause. We also share stories about student and faculty summer travel, photographs from the EX-CHANGE 2023 launch and a welcome to new faculty at the school.

In this issue of e-SPAN, we honor the work of Valentina Vavasis, Sarah Rafson and Steve Lee, three beloved faculty members. We speak with Valentina, whose expertise in real estate, community development and professional ethics is braided together with her deep care for—and curiosity about—humans and human community. Sarah reflects on her years as Carnegie Mellon Architecture’s Curator of Public Programs, and the inquiry they’ve opened and the conversations they’ve inspired. And we highlight Steve, alumnus, professor and former Head of School, who is retiring after 43 years with the school.

In this edition of the e-SPAN Newsletter, we explore how social justice work can happen in the architecture field. We speak with two alumni who put these principles to work in their professional lives: Nina Barbuto (B.Arch ‘07), Executive Director of Assemble in Pittsburgh, and Paúl Moscoso Riofrío (MUD ‘18), whose work at the US-Mexico border pursues cross-border solutions to environmental and social challenges. We also showcase student work tackling social justice issues, advised by Stefan Gruber and Jonathan Kline, and look forward to the relaunch of the UDream program and Spring Carnival.