Architecture Faculty

When you’re done, you’ll feel differently about architecture, about the built environment and about space in general. You’ll be much more observant.

You’ll be interested in watching people and looking at materials and understanding relationships of scale and proportion when you travel or just in your own environment at home. In your first design studio with me, you’ll also learn self-confidence, self-direction and a strong work ethic.

One of the unique and wonderful qualities about UDM’s School of Architecture is that we’re located in an urban community, which is a constant reminder that architecture goes beyond designing for the elite. We also are designing for everyday people, and for the poor and needy.

Cities all over the country are in desperate need of a redefinition of what architecture is. And so we’re trying to instill a sense of responsibility in you. And being in the urban environment means we can treat Detroit almost as a laboratory.

UDM's Architecture program provides you a unique educational experience. With its small size, a collegial faculty and an involved alumni network, you experience a supportive learning environment. Your co-op assignments and the School's urban location also enhance your skills and development as an architect.

From my classes, you will have a better understanding of what architecture encompasses — not just the pure creativity, but also the technical demands you will have to deal with if you want to be a successful practitioner. You will also gain a better understanding of "green," sustainable design issues, which I have been preaching since the 1970s.

I prepare lectures in advance and send them to you to review before class, so if you have questions, you can raise them in class.

With the presentation loaded on your computer, you don't have to write as much in class — it's not only a more efficient way of taking notes, but also a better way to learn.

In our Architecture program, you will get the information that you need to apply in your career. I will try to present you with  information about great architects, so you can learn from their mistakes.

And in the Studio course, I have half-hour conversations with you each week so we have a one-on-one relationship. 

You will come away with knowledge of someone else's experience that becomes your beginning point, so you will enter the profession with 30 years of experience.

You will know all the problems someone else encountered so you won't make their mistakes.