5/9/02

AU ARCHITECTURE PROGRAM ONE OF SIX NATIONAL AWARD FINALISTS

AUBURN -- Auburn University's School of Architecture is one of six schools nationally to win the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards' inaugural Prize for Creative Integration of Practice and Education in the Academy competition.

Auburn was cited for the Rural Studio's work in community outreach in rural locations.

Of the six programs, one will be awarded the $25,000 grand prize at NCARB's annual meeting and conference in late June. The other schools will each receive a $7,500 cash award.

"I am extremely pleased that The School of Architecture has been recognized to receive the inaugural NCARB Prize for the work of the Rural Studio," said Dan Bennett, dean of AU's College of Architecture, Design and Construction. "The school's long track record of successfully engaging students in socially and environmentally responsible practice at the Rural Studio is a source of great pride.

"This recent recognition by NCARB adds to the long and deserving list of accolades that have been received. And, the award puts Auburn in very fine company."

Other university winners were Arizona State University, Miami (Ohio) University, North Carolina State University, University of Detroit and the University of Pennsylvania.

The NCARB Prize recognizes excellence in architectural education and practice. Architecture schools with National Architectural Accrediting Board-accredited-degree programs were invited to submit established projects, completed or in progress by the end of the fall 2001 semester, that demonstrated creative initiatives that bring together the academy and the profession within the studio curriculum.

The 48 entries juried for the NCARB Prize fell into three broad categories: curriculum (where entire programs were presented or where a particular course was showcased); community outreach (including design/build student projects, community planning, and urban design); and applied research and development (based on technology and case study analysis). Practice integration was represented by exposure to practice culture, structured collaboration with allied professions, and projects led by registered faculty practitioners.

NCARB comprises the architectural registration boards of all 50 states as well as those of the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, the Virgin Islands and the Northern Mariana Islands. NCARB assists its member state registration boards in carrying out their duties and provides a certification program for individual architects.

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may02: AU-architecture

CONTACT: Bennett, 334/844-4526 or Michiel Bourdrez, NCARB, 202/879-0535.