2/21/03

Cheryl Morgan/Casey Ivy/Paul Kardous, 205/323-3592

Michael Sorkin

AU ARCHITECTURE STUDENTS CREATE VISIONARY BIRMINGHAM

AUBURN -- Ten architecture students from Auburn University have spent eight weeks envisioning a new city of Birmingham. The students, working out of Auburn's Center for Architecture and Urban Design on First Avenue North in Birmingham, have created visions of a "new city" emerging from part of downtown Birmingham.

Internationally renowned architect Michael Sorkin of New York and AU professor Michael Robinson oversaw the students' work and provided guidance.

Working with different media, such as pastels, wood, and pencil, the fourth year students created large scale drawings and models that imagine a green, urban community mixed with housing, parks and cultural facilities, centered around an unearthed Valley Creek.

"Vision is at the core of great urbanity and these students have it in spades" said Sorkin.

The students' work will be on display at the Old Fix Play Building in Birmingham at the corner of First Avenue North and 23rd Street from Tuesday (Feb. 25) through Thursday (Feb. 28). Students will be available from 11 a.m.-8 p.m., for feedback and questions.

feb03:AU-birmingham

CONTACT: Kyes Stevens, 334/844-4523; or Robinson, 334/844-5486.