NewSchool of Architecture & Design is dedicated to teaching progressive thinking and leading-edge considerations of design. NewSchool faculty are at the forefront of emerging design concepts and research, educating not only their students but the design community at large.

Grace C. Lee, Graduate Architecture student and research assistant at The Center of Healthy Environments at NewSchool and Eve Edelstein, Graduate Architecture faculty at NewSchool were featured presenters at the Psychology of Architecture Conference in Austin, TX, aimed at drawing attention to this understudied but crucial area of research. Attended by students, architects, builders, designers, and policy makers, the conference looked to inspire consideration of the psychological impact of the physical spaces they create and manage.​

Grace C. Lee’s presentation, “Wayfinding for Alzheimer’s Disease with Cues from Episodic Memory Loss and Prosopagnosia,” discussed how architects can make design decisions that may make life better for those suffering from Alzheimer’s Disease. Lee suggested that while there is heavy study taking place amongst the medical community, neuroscientists are struggling to understand Alzheimer’s Disease and in the meantime, there is a strong need to make improvements where possible. Research showed it may be possible for architects to make design assumptions based on the commonality of episodic memory loss, prosopagnosia and Alzheimer’s Disease with wayfinding. Wayfinding is a forward thinking architectural focus that explores the effects of specific architectural elements in those with episodic memory loss or prosopagnosia that can then provide cues on what’s beneficial, neutral, or negative for those with Alzheimer’s Disease.

Eve Edelstein also explored the intersection where the physics of form meet the physiology of function in her presentation, “Your Brain is Tuned to Design.” She discussed, in-depth, the human experience of design and how that can best be used to create functional designs in architecture. Eve shared the results of studies that used biosensors, environmental trackers and fully immersive real-time virtual reality simulations exploring the interactions between buildings and the brain, body and behavior and the resulting design principles that in application, better serves human performance, creativity, health and well-being.

Domus Academy School of Design at NewSchool Dean, Elena Pacenti, Presents At Italian Design Day at the Pacific Design Center in Los Angeles

Elena Pacenti, Dean of Domus Academy School of Design at NewSchool of Architecture & Design, presented on how she incorporates the essence of Italian design into her work at NewSchool. Her presentation was part of Italian Design Day, hosted at the Pacific Design Center in Los Angeles. Pacenti had the honor of introducing Ambassador of Italian Design Lorenzo Damiani, a visiting designer from Italy who specializes in furniture and product design.

Italian Design Day took place in 100 cities worldwide, celebrating the importance of Italian Design in both the design world and everyday life.

Pacenti’s presentation “What Italian Design Means,” discussed what defines Italian Design and why it is so important, especially in educating and inspiring her students. According to Elena, the driving forces of Italian Design include: Passion, Sensuality, Quality of life, Quality of product, Food and Masterpieces

She covered a vast landscape of Italian design icons, highlighting well-known Italian designers and products such as Bialetti’s Moka Express coffee maker and Marcello Nizzoli’s Lettera 22 typewriter. Pacenti says Italian Design focuses on the beauty of everyday objects noting that, “Design in Italian is not a verb; to design is a culture.” She went on to say, “The meaning of Italian design is envisioning. It is not only style, but a projection of what makes sense for people.”

Pacenti comes from Domus Academy in Milan, Italy, one of the top-ranked design schools in the world, bringing her professional and academic expertise in design-related fields to NewSchool. Pacenti previously directed the Design School at Domus Academy in Italy. She was director of the Domus Academy Research Center from 2002 through 2009, where she oversaw the development and coordination of design innovation research projects for the European Union and for government and private groups in Italy. In 2011, she established the Master in Service and Experience Design program at Domus Academy.

Pacenti brings her experience and expertise to not only our students, but she highly respected and a strong influence in the local San Diego design community as well.

For more information on Domus Academy School of Design at NewSchool of Architecture & Design or to interview Elena Pacenti, please contact Rachael Lighty at rlighty@newschoolarch.edu.

NewSchool is pleased to recognize the 2017 NewSchool Foundation Scholarship recipients, Miles Patterson and Matthew West. Each year, the scholarship, established by the NewSchool Foundation, is provided to students who demonstrate strong academic performance and engagement that reflect the ideals of one or more of the NewSchool academic pillars.

NewSchool’s academic pillars include international commitment, urban engagement, environmental sustainability and preparation for practice. The awards may be applied to all or some combination of tuition, travel expenses, participation in research or direct service projects and other activities that help recipients achieve their educational goals.

NewSchool Foundation Scholarship Award Recipients:

NewSchool Foundation scholarship recipient Miles Patterson is a third-year, Bachelor of Architecture student. In his proposal, Miles noted he plans to engage in the following NewSchool academic pillars: international commitment, urban engagement and preparation for practice. He also highlighted that he plans to use his scholarship to take part in the Architecture Association (AA) Visiting School in Mexico City.

“I believe this is a great time in my academic journey to engage with an urban environment outside of the United States,” said Patterson. “These architecture studies courses have introduced me to the history of urban studies and have given me the opportunity to develop sketching skills. Through these courses, I’ve been encouraged to travel and am now ready to continue developing these skills and put them into use in the field.”

Matthew West is a first-year Bachelor of Architecture student. In his proposal, Matthew discussed his desire to travel to Rancho San Gregorio in Baja California. The goal of his project is to travel to design and build a prototype patient house, based on the healing properties of biophillia. His project will support the development of the NewSchool academic pillars of international commitment, environmental sustainability and preparation for practice.

“NewSchool has given me a great opportunity to follow my dreams and I am dedicated to giving my all to my education and to people in need,” said Matthew West. “Through this scholarship, I will be able to accomplish my goal and open the doors to many more NewSchool students to bring their ideas to the ranch in hopes of discovering the true benefits of healing based design.

The NewSchool Foundation (NSF) supports the educational mission of the NewSchool of Architecture & Design and promotes the awareness, appreciation and understanding of architecture design, landscape architecture and construction, and the their crucial role in society in creative problem solving and building better communities.

For more information on NewSchool of Architecture & Design please contact Rachael Lighty at rlighty@newschoolarch.edu.

About NewSchool of Architecture & Design:

Located in San Diego’s design district, NewSchool of Architecture & Design prepares students for career success in design fields through an emphasis on interdisciplinary and global design skills, industry collaborations and real-world projects. Programs include architecture, construction management, product design, media design, design studies, and interior architecture and design. NewSchool is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior College and University Commission. NewSchool’s Bachelor and Master of Architecture programs are accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB). NewSchool is one of more than 70 institutions in 25
countries that comprise the Laureate International Universities network. Through collaborations with sister institutions in the Laureate network, including Domus Academy in Milan,Italy, NewSchool students are prepared to work in global and diverse organizations. For more information, visit www.newschoolarch.edu.

At NewSchool of Architecture & Design, we’re invested in the success of our students, even after they’ve graduated. To honor our alumni and their outstanding work in the architecture and design communities, we are proud to showcase an ongoing display on campus. Each month we will feature projects that highlight the innovative work of our graduates. The current installation, entitled “Stones” by Tecture, features the work of three Class of 2011 students, Kyle Preish (M.Arch ‘11), Slade Fischer (M.Arch ‘11) and David Michael Ortiz (M.Arch ‘11); Class of 2012 students, Sydney Preish (M.Arch ‘12) and Ryan Carpenter (M.Arch ‘12); and current student, Anthony Mull (B.Arch).

“Stones” is a visual representation of the multitude of construction methods students are exposed to throughout their education at NewSchool. The project, “The 3 Bears,” is an exploration of fabrication processes. Each of the stones is constructed from the same material, in this instance, plywood, with the same form and using a variety of construction methods.

Modeled after the famous Goldilocks fable, two of the three stones aren’t entirely visually pleasing, while the final is “just right.”

The first stone is the most raw and rough and was created using analog sculpting methods and a chainsaw, resulting in a design that is“too analog.”

The second stone is vertically striated and was constructed entirely digitally, skewing “too digital.”

The progression of the installation naturally lands on the third and final stone, which is intended to be visually “just right.” This third stone incorporates both digital CNC processes and analog finishing techniques, leading to a final product that marries the best of both techniques.

NewSchool is always on the lookout for compelling alumni work to display. Our alumni serve as great inspiration for our current students to push the boundaries in their processes and see the possibilities that await them upon graduation. Alumni interested in submitting work for display are encouraged to contact Lisa Ganem, Director of Career Services & Alumni Relations at lganem@newschoolarch.edu.

SAN DIEGO – December 14, 2016 – NewSchool of Architecture & Design (NewSchool) today announced the recipients of the Graham Downes summer internship program to Meghan Golden, Christian Nevarez and Miranda Luce. The selected candidates were assigned to work for a minimum of 100 hours during the summer as a means to further develop their professional skills and gain valuable insight from industry professionals that is not typically available to the average architecture student. The students had the opportunity to work with local design studios BASILEStudio, 505architecture and The Miller Hull Partnership, LLP.

“Graham Downes was a pioneer in the world of architecture and is greatly missed,” said Marvin J. Malecha, president and chief academic officer of the NewSchool of Architecture & Design. “His impact on the industry was profound, and we are pleased to honor his legacy by giving our students the chance to learn from his philosophies that still power architecture firms everywhere.”

Graham Downes was an internationally known architect who was famous for pushing the limits of conventions of the Bauhaus movement. He played a key role in advancing architecture and design in a manner that infused energy and excitement into otherwise pedantic projects. Graham founded his firm, Graham Downes Architecture, Inc. in San Diego in 1994 and quickly became a household name in the area. His philosophies in expanding the boundaries of traditional architecture transferred seamlessly into the number of high-profile projects the firm worked on, including Hard Rock Hotels in San Diego and Puerto Vallarta, Quiksilver and Charlotte Russe, among others. Graham was also a world famous rugby player, representing his home country of South Africa and later playing for the U.S. national team. The summer internship program is funded by San Diego’s KwaZulu Old Crocs Rugby Club, which Graham founded in 2005. Graham passed away in 2013.

NewSchool has a long-standing relationship with Graham Downes Scholarship in providing both its students and practicing architecture firms with positive growth experiences.

“Connecting to the larger design community is the first, and often the most important, step in any new designer’s burgeoning career,” said William Keck, designer at BASILEStudio and supervisor of Meghan Golden’s internship. “The funding offered by the Graham Downes Summer Internship Scholarship facilitates this initial and indispensable real world introduction. We are proud to have been a part of the Graham Downes Summer Internship Scholarship, and we look forward to being a part of it again.”

For more information on NewSchool of Architecture & Design, please contact Rachael Lighty at rlighty@newschoolarch.edu or 410.218.6055.

About NewSchool of Architecture & Design:

Located in San Diego’s design district, NewSchool of Architecture & Design prepares students for career success in design fields through an emphasis on interdisciplinary and global design skills, industry collaborations and real-world projects. Programs include architecture, construction management, product design, media design, design studies, and interior architecture and design. NewSchool is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior College and University Commission. NewSchool’s Bachelor and Master of Architecture programs are accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB). NewSchool is one of more than 70 institutions in 25 countries that comprise the Laureate International Universities network. Laureate Education, Inc. is a public benefit corporation. Both Laureate and NewSchool also both completed a rigorous, independent assessment to become a Certified B Corp®. Through collaborations with sister institutions in the Laureate network, including Domus Academy in Milan, Italy, NewSchool students are prepared to work in global and diverse organizations. For more information, visit www.newschoolarch.edu and www.laureate.net.