research path summary (the short version).
Architecture has allowed me to apply a talent for drawing into a career teaching students to realize architectural space. I maintain a professional practice to remain effective as a teacher, and as an architect I am highly cognizant that my design decisions have a direct impact on climate change.
There is an element of serendipity in the fact that the very certifications that were now valued in the field of interior architecture and that would make me effective in teaching these subjects were also aligned with my professional goals as an architect and responsibilities.
My research has taken a particular trajectory since the time of my appointment as assistant professor in 2018 –
– to maintain a professional portfolio architectural projects
– to continue to become expert at 3d modeling and visualization
SketchUp Pro
Enscape 3d and V-Ray Rendering engines
– to practice and excel in drawing from observation
– to acquire credentials necessary to mitigate climate change
Passive House Construction (phius)
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED)
– to explain site response decisions at sustainability conferences.
I respect my readers’ time, the remaining paragraphs are an elaboration of what may be summarized below:
The focus of my research since my hire as assistant professor in 2018 has been professional practice in built and unbuilt works, maintenance of skills in drawing and 3d modeling and rendering, and lastly the acquisition of credentials as a CHPC (certified Passive House consultant), achieving LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental and Design) expertise, which I publish annually at sustainability workshops.
professional practice.
Faculty members are expected to maintain a registered private practice in no small part so that the BFA and Master’s programs remain accredited by the Council for Interior Design Qualification.
Architecture 2030, an edict by the American Institute of Architects acknowledges the industry’s role in contributing 40% of carbon emissions, and requires me to make a promise that I consider every ounce of carbon my design decisions imply.
Passive House and LEED enable me to keep that promise: the 127 unit Passive House at 2 H Street in South Boston whose early drafts espoused features of new homes that once commanded such a premium, such as resplendent glazing and gas stoves are now important to avoid.
urban ecology and sustainability.
My colleagues in the urban context of Boston and I have worked closely on similar problems. The Center for Urban Ecology interests intersect with my professional research, as does the subject matter of faculty at the Law School, who are concerned with zoning laws and legislation applied to the creation of sustainable energy in Massachusetts.
My annual intellectual contributions to the Urban Ecological Security and Sustainability Workshops have allowed me to explain to a receptive audience the architectural efforts I have made that address issues of coastal resistance in the City of Boston.
Climate Change and Boston
To build in Boston, it was quite clear that the responsible thing to do was to shift my focus to energy efficient building, and to acquire credentials in the disciplines that were promoting those building standards, among them Passive House Institute of United States (PHIUS) and Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED).
Sea level rise, demands of affordable housing and resiliency planning in architecture had reached a point of heightened importance. Article 37 in Boston required all new construction to incorporate resiliency planning into its designs. Mayor Michelle Wu now requires all multifamily buildings in Boston over 20,000 SQFT to be constructed to Passive House standards.
Codes and Environmental Systems
Upon the departure of the only remaining licensed professionals who taught these subjects, Suffolk University required me to teach building construction codes and environmental systems studies starting in 2021.
This matters could only be taught by a licensed design professional and practitioner.
My unbuilt work includes documentation of projects completed in fulfillment of the requirements of these credentials.
Construction Documentation
I teach classes in Construction Documents and Design Documentation to undergrad and graduate students in interior architecture. They learn to compose a sheafe of construction drawings using AutoCAD Revit Architecture. Students learn to detail architectural drawings with a view to submitting these drawings for permitting and construction.
Among the interior architecture projects I completed is a centrally located in Boston’s Chinatown on 660 Washington Street, and is a retail establishment called the Wild Duck Wine and Spirits, whose drawings presented a special challenge in abridgement.
A set of construction documents that would normally consist of a dozen or so pages, but had to be distilled into a single page.
Drawing as realizing architectural space.
My drawing skills are generally lauded in my discipline, and as part of my intellectual research I work hard to maintain these skills, and to find ways to inspire students to do the same.
In Boston during the pandemic, beginning in 2019 I documented an historic neighborhood landmark, the Old North Church and a series of visual studies – neighborhood drawings from observation of important local establishments.
(Francis DK Ching, a lifelong hero of mine, graciously conducted a drawing from observation workshop for Suffolk University students in 2018.)
Sound and Acoustics.
My thesis work in architecture was the creation of a school for musical performance and recording, and I studied carefully the works of an individual whom I may now proudly claim as a colleague, John Storyk of Walters Storyk Design Group.
When I lectured on the topic of sound control, I would describe the work of colleague John Storyk to students of construction documents. I persuaded him to lecture students about sound design and acoustics and he generously provided criticism to our graduate students on his first visit to Suffolk.
YouTube Video and Recording.
I cannot teach without drawing on a whiteboard.
I have recorded most classes I have taught since 2018. Many excerpts of these lessons are memorialized on my YouTube channel
https://www.youtube.com/@crosstownart
and have been helpful to students trying to assimilate various drawing skills or subject matter presented in the classroom.
Some excerpts from my YouTube channel (youtube.com/crosstownart) are part of this presentation.
Conclusions.
I have asked each of you to review my tenure documents, because you have played an important role and have contributed to my professional research pursuits.
Drawing from observation as a means of describing architectural space. 3d modeling and prototyping skills are critical to students of architecture in communicating design intent so my research required me to maintain expert status in this realm.
With your endorsement of my tenure, I hope to continue this important pedagogy, technical and artistic, central to architecture and space, as an instructor in the accredited degree programs we offer here in the discipline in Art and Design at Suffolk University.