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Feature Stories

The current land mine museum is owned and operated by Aki Ra (right), a former child-soldier who participated in the laying of land mines in his youth and has since devoted his life to removing the estimated 6 million mines still hidden in the Cambodian soil.

Land swap enables construction of new Cambodian Land Mine Museum

A Cambodian land mine museum designed by Texas A&M University architecture professor Julie Rogers and her students three years ago has moved a big step closer to reality, thanks to high-level Canadian diplomatic negotiations with the Cambodian government regarding land for the museum and a sustained letter-writing campaign spearheaded by Rogers and her students.

The letter campaign brought attention to problems museum backers had encountered with the Cambodian government. In 2003, the Cambodian Land Mine Museum Relief Fund (CLMMRF) acquired a site for the new museum near the Siem Reap Airport, in a location undergoing rapid development. Later, that same year, the Cambodian government barred the museum’s construction on the proposed site. Through their letter writing campaign, the Texas A&M students garnered support for the museum project from several prominent politicians, diplomats and world-renown celebrities.

For full story:
http://archone.tamu.edu/archcom/archoneUpdate/
full_6-08-06_Landmine.htm

An architectural model of the student-design Cambodian Land Mine Museum to be constructed outside of Seim Reap.

A&M land mine museum project Web site:
http://cambodia.showviz.net/

Cambodian Land Mine Museum Relief Fund
http://www.cambodialandminemuseum.org/

Elise Bright elected to
ACSP governing board

Elise Bright, a planning professor at Texas A&M University's College of Architecture, was recently elected to the governing board of the Association of Collegiate Schools of Planning. She will represent the ACSP's south central region for a two-year term.

The Association of Collegiate Schools of Planning (ACSP) is a consortium of university-based programs offering credentials in urban and regional planning. Acting together, the ACSP member school faculty are able to express their shared commitments to understanding the dynamics of urban and regional development, enhancing planning practices, and improving the education of both novice and experienced planners.

The ACSP promotes education, research, service, and outreach in the United States and throughout the world. It is committed to recognizing the diverse needs and interests in planning. It seeks to strengthen the role of planning education in colleges and universities through publications, conferences, and community engagement as well as through participation in the accreditation process. The ACSP believes that planning education should extend beyond the classroom and into the world of practice working closely with practicing professionals and communities.

ACSP Web site: http://www.acsp.org/

Infrastructure changes needed to meet future disaster relief needs

The concept of establishing increased capacity to meet the surge in disaster victims' healthcare needs has been well established among medical and planning professionals and passed an acid test during this season's Gulf Coast hurricanes. Less well established, however, is an understanding of how community infrastructures will have to be modified to keep pace with those surge facilities, says a Texas A&M University health-planning professor.

“ Much work has been done on the infrastructure needs of cities, because they are more vulnerable to both natural and terrorist threats,” says Sherry Bame, a professor of urban planning affiliated with the College of Architecture’s Hazards Reduction and Recovery Center. “Less attention has been paid to how well prepared smaller communities are to take the surge of evacuees and disaster victims streaming out of the urban areas. Planners in such areas need to figure out how they will accommodate a sudden influx of people that can increase the community's population by as much as 20 to 40 percent.”

For full story:
http://archone.tamu.edu/archcom/archoneUpdate/
full_6-08-06_BameInfrastructure.htm

Construction Science professor Richard Burt inspects another layer of rammed earth during the construction of the Architecture Ranch's new Earth Shack.

‘Earth Shack’ showcases
rammed-earth technology

Last semester, Texas A&M construction science students used rammed earth technology to construct an experimental shed at the College of Architecture’s new Riverside Campus Prototype Research Facility, also known as the Architecture Ranch.

Dubbed the “Earth Shack,” the experimental structure sits on a 13’-8” x 8’ foot print and includes 6’- 6” tall rammed earth walls topped by a sloping metal roof, which is supported by wood frames. The shack has two windows and a door and is spanned by bond beams with 15” bearing on the walls, which are protected by 4’-wide roof overhangs.

Rammed earth is a method of building walls whereby a mixture of earth is compacted in layers between forms. Each layer of earth is approximately four inches deep. As each form is filled and the earth hardens, the formwork is removed and placed for the next lift. The process continues until the desired wall height is achieved.

The soil mix, Burt explained, needs to be carefully balanced between clay, sand and aggregate. The clay and moisture content of rammed earth, he said, is relatively low compared to that used for mud brick or other earth building methods.

For details on the Earth Shack experiment and the students’ discoveries, read Burt’s project report:
http://archone.tamu.edu/archcom/InsideTrack
/PDFs/EarthShackReport.pdf

Administrative Notes

Call for papers!

October student-led symposium to focus
on disaster recovery, redevelopment

In the wake of hurricanes Katrina and Rita, disaster recovery and redevelopment research has been thrust into the limelight. The Oct. 6-7 Disaster Recovery and Redevelopment Interdisciplinary Student Research Symposium at Texas A&M University will explore relevant new research in this rapidly developing field.

Abstracts will be accepted through July 30 in the following thematic areas: the natural and built environments; social and economic vulnerability; public policy; resource management; design and (re)development; physical planning; and other related topics. Complete papers are due by Sept. 30.

The symposium and a student-managed online peer-reviewed journal will be structured around the thematic areas list above. The journal will publish the symposium's most exemplary papers.

Symposium speakers include: Dr. Shirley Laska, director of the Center for Hazard Assessment and Response and Technology at the University of New Orleans; Ty Symroski, director of growth management for Monroe County, Florida; and Dr. Walter Gillis Peacock, director of the Hazard Reduction and Recovery Center at Texas A&M University.

Registration is $30. More details and online registration are available on the College of Architecture's Office of Continuing Education Web site: http://archone.tamu.edu/conted/ or by contacting Dolores Gonzales at 458-0102 or e-mail dgonzales@archone.tamu.edu.

Download symposium poster:
http://archone.tamu.edu/archcom/InsideTrack
/Images/Disater-Symp-Poster.pdf

June ITS workshops focus on
latest classroom technologies

Texas A&M’s Instructional Technology Services (ITS) is presenting several June workshops featuring instruction in the latest state-of-the-art classroom technologies.

A variety of courses are scheduled covering various aspects of WebCT. Other topics include: online communication and collaboration, Gradebook, course development, multimedia development, advanced PowerPoint and “Smart Technologies” like Sympodium or Smart Board. Those interested in creating demos of a product for class can learn about Camtasia Studio.

To review the schedule or register for a class, visit the ITS Web site at http://itsinfo.tamu.edu and click on “Workshop Schedule” in the right-hand navigation bar. Those interested in other kinds of instruction may set up a one-one-one session with an ITS consultant. ITS will also work with individuals on developing courses. For more information, e-mail ITS at its@tamu.edu or call 862-3977.

Fajitas top Tuesday’s staff luncheon menu; lunch reservations due by 5 p.m. Friday

The College of Architecture’s June staff appreciation luncheon is set for noon, Tuesday, June 13 on the second floor of the Langford A atrium. Buppy’s will once again cater the event. Tuesday’s menu includes beef and chicken fajitas, refried beans, Spanish rice and tortillas.

June birthday celebrants to be recognized at the luncheon are: Bob Johnson, 6-10; Charles Graham, 6-13; Daniel Basile, 6-14; Tyra Musoma,6-16; Joe Horlen, 6-20; June Withers, 6-21; and Mardelle Shepley, 6-28.

Eligible participants should RSVP by 5 p.m. Friday, June 9 to Mashalle Mooring at mmooring@archmail.tamu.edu

This summer, staff luncheons are also slated for July 11 and August 8.

This Week's Calendar

Through June 29

Dick Davison exhibit: Selected drawings and book pages by Dick Davison, architecture professor and drawing instructor at Texas A&M's College of Architecture, will be on exhibit June 2 - 29 at the Texas Gallery in the P. David Romei Arts Center, located at 2275 Dartmouth Street in College Station. The exhibit is open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. A public reception for the artist will be held 5:30 p.m. Thursday, June 15. For more on the Davison exhibit, visit the Arts Council of Brazos Valley Web site: http://www.acbv.org/

Thursday, June 8 – Saturday, June 10

AIA National Convention will be held in Los Angeles, Calif. For details visit:
http://www.aiaconvention.com
/aia_splash/2006/index.html

Friday, June 9

AIA reception in LA: The Department of Architecture is hosting a special reception during the 2006 AIA National Convention at RTKL Associates’Los Angeles office. The event is set for 7 p.m. Friday June 9, 2006. RTKL office is located at 333 Hope Street in Los Angeles, Calif. For former students, faculty and friends of the college are welcome and encouraged to attend. Please RSVP by June 5 to Trish Pannell at 979.458.0400 or e-mail
t-pannell@tamu.edu

Monday, June 10

Master's Thesis Presentation, "Planning for Mitigating Climate Change Risk to Metropolitan Areas," by Himanshu Grover is slated for 1 - 3 p.m. in Langford A 402. Chair: Dr. S. Brody. Members: Dr. F. Ndubisi, Dr. W. G. Peacock, Dr. A. Vedlitz (Bush School) For more information, contact Grover at 979-204-9180 or e-mail himanshug@tamu.edu.

Calendar Highlights:

June 14

Master's Thesis Defense noon - 3 p.m. in Langford A 402. Daylighting techniques in the indigenous architecture of the United Arab Emirates (UAE); an investigative approach. Chair: Liliana Beltran, Members: Valerian Miranda and Alex McIntosh substituting for Tazim Jamal For more information, please contact Maitha Al-Nuaimi/979-571-2849/m.dalmouk@tamu.edu.term.

June 19

Q-Drop: Last day for all students to drop courses with no penalty for the first term.

June 30

First summer session ends: Last class day of the first summer term classes.

July 3

Final exams for first summer term.

July 4

Independence Day: Faculty and staff holiday.

July 5

Second summer session begins: The summer’s second term classes get under way.

July 9 - 14

CampARCH+ is an exclusive week-long interdisciplinary experience designed to acquaint students with the study of and potential careers in professions utilizing architecture, visualization, construction science, landscape architecture, and urban planning. Activities include lectures, design/build activities, digital photography, video editing and presentations by faculty in the College of Architecture. Additional activities include workshops in basic design and materials, individual and group projects, a review and critique of projects, and information about attending Texas A&M University and the College of Architecture. To learn more, visit the CampARCH+ Web site at http://archone.tamu.edu/college/careerhorizons/.

July 10 - 14

Youth Adventure Program: For more information, please contact Donald Sweeney at dsweeney@archmail.tamu.edu.

July 19

Q-Drop: Last day for all students to drop courses with no penalty for the 10-week summer term.

July 24

Research Proposal Presentation: 10 a.m. - noon in Langford A 323. "Decision Support System for Real Estate Construction" — Committee members: Leslie Fegenbaum, Robert Johnson, and M. Haque For more information, please contact Sharmistha Ghosh at 979-997-6479 or e-mail sghosh81@yahoo.com.

July 29

Q-Drop: Last day for all students to drop courses with no penalty for second summer term.

August 7

Second summer sessions end: Last class day of the second summer term and 10-week semester classes.

August 8-9

Final exams for second summer term and 10-week classes.

August 21 - September 8

Architectural Photography Exhibit featuring 25 large format photographs of architecture by Marcel Erminy. For more information, contact Marcel Erminy at 845-1015 or e-mail merminy@tamu.edu.

August 11

Summer commencement and commissioning

COSC graduation reception: The Department of Construction Science will hold a reception for summer 2006 graduates 5:30 - 8 p.m. in the Langford A atrium. For more information, contact Ann Eastwood at 845-0289 or e-mail aeastwood@archone.tamu.edu.

August 22

COSC Department Retreat: The Department of Construction Science will hold a daylong departmental retreat at the 7-F Lodge. The event is scheduled from 8 a.m. - 9 p.m. Directions are available on the 7F Lodge Web site: http://www.7flodge.com/Directions.htm.

August 25

College faculty/Staff meeting: College of Architecture faculty and staff meet 10 a.m. in the Langford B auditorium,. Lunch will be served in the Langford B Exhibit Hall after the meeting.

August 27

Freshman Convocation is a 45-60 minute ceremony that welcomes freshmen to Texas A&M University's community of learners in a manner similar to the community's recognition of students' graduation at commencement. The university president offer some inspiration remarks urging students to make their Texas A&M education a life changing experience. For more details on this event, visit http://www.tamu.edu/freshmanconvocation/about.htm

August 28

Classes start: First day of fall 2006 semester gets under way.

September 3

MSC Open House showcases student groups: The annual Memorial Student Center Fall Open House will be held the first Sunday of the semester in the MSC, Rudder Exhibit Hall and G. Rollie White Coliseum from 1 – 6 p.m. This is Texas A&M's largest recruiting event for recognized campus organizations. An estimated 13,000 people attend every fall. Tables for recognized student groups can be reserved now at the MSC Box Office in the lobby of Rudder Tower. Tables are $35 and can be purchased using cash, a student organization finance check, interdepartmental transfer, Aggie Bucks or credit card. Tables will remain on sale until all the space is taken or Wednesday, August 30, whichever comes first. Students, faculty, staff and the community are invited to attend. Registration forms are available online at http://mscopenhouse.tamu.edu/. For more information, contact Heather Hartman at 979.845.626, e-mail marketing@msc.tamu.edu or visit http://mscopenhouse.tamu.edu/.

September 4-8

German Study Abroad Exhibit: Students who participated in the spring 2006 study abroad program in Düsseldorf, Germany will exhibit their work in the Langford B Exhibit Hall. For more information, contact Dolores Gonzales at 458-0102 or e-mail dgonzales@archone.tamu.edu.

September 8

Academic Convocation: In academia, the word "convocation" refers to a ceremonial assembly of the members of a college or university. Traditionally, academic convocations celebrate special events such as the beginning of the academic year or the anniversary of an institution. In 1997, Texas A&M re-established the practice of Academic Convocation as a celebration of the university's progress and an opportunity to discuss the university's plans for the future. To learn more about this annual event, visit http://www.tamu.edu/conv/

September 11

CIAC members recruit at COSC Career Fair: Construction Industry Advisory Council (CIAC) companies will be featured at the first of two Department of Construction Science Career Fairs to be held this fall in the Langford A atrium. Students attending the 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. event will have an opportunity to sign-up for interviews with participating companies on the following day. For more information, contact Ann Eastwood, 845-0289  aeastwood@archone.tamu.edu

September 12

CIAC members interview COSC job seekers: Construction Industry Advisory Council (CIAC) companies will hold job interviews with construction science students 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. at Kyle Field (2nd floor skyboxes on West side) and the Career Center (209 Koldus). Student may sign-up for the interviews during the Sept. 11 Department of Construction Science Career Fair in the Langford A Atrium. For more information, contact Ann Eastwood, 845-0289  aeastwood@archone.tamu.edu

September 19

COSC Career Fair: Construction companies vie the attention of Texas A&M construction science students at the second of two Construction Science Career Fairs to be held this fall in the Langford A atrium. Students attending the 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. event will have an opportunity to sign-up for interviews with participating companies on the following day. For more information, contact Ann Eastwood, 845-0289  aeastwood@archone.tamu.edu

National Association of Home Builders Student Chapter Meeting & Dinner: 6:30 - 10 p.m. in Langford B Exhibit Hall and Geren Auditorium. For more information, contact Joe Horlen at 845-0289 for e-mail Ann Eastwood at aeastwood@archone.tamu.edu.

September 20

Companies interview COSC job seekers – Construction companies will hold job interviews with construction science students 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. at Kyle Field (2nd floor skyboxes on West side) and the Career Center (209 Koldus). Student may sign-up for the interviews during the Sept. 19 Department of Construction Science Career Fair in the Langford A Atrium. For more information, contact Ann Eastwood, 845-0289  aeastwood@archone.tamu.edu

September 25

Faculty Recognition Banquet: The College of Architecture's annual presentation of special awards and recognitions to outstanding faculty is set for 6:30 - 10 p.m. at the Presidential Conference Center. For more information, contact Trish Pannell at 458-0400 or e-mail t-pannell@tamu.edu.

October 6-7

Disaster Recovery & Redevelopment: Interdisciplinary Student Research Symposium — This two-day student-led event will explore relevant new research in rapidly developing field of disaster recovery and redevelopment. Abstracts will be accepted through July 30 in the following thematic areas: the natural and built environments; social and economic vulnerability; public policy; resource management; design and (re)development; physical planning; and other related topics. Complete papers are due by Sept. 30. The symposium and a student-managed online peer-reviewed journal will be structured around the thematic areas list above. The journal will publish the symposium's most exemplary papers. Symposium speakers include: Dr. Shirley Laska, director of the Center for Hazard Assessment and Response and Technology at the University of New Orleans; Ty Symroski, director of growth management for Monroe County, Florida; and Dr. Walter Gillis Peacock, director of the Hazard Reduction and Recovery Center at Texas A&M University. Registration is $30. More details and online registration are available on the College of Architecture's Office of Continuing Education Web site: http://archone.tamu.edu/conted/ or by contacting Dolores Gonzales at 458-0102 or e-mail dgonzales@archone.tamu.edu.

October 7-8

Building Inspection Workshop: The Department of Construction will holding its fall Building Inspection Workshop 7 a.m. - 5 p.m. in Langford C 105. For more information, contact Ann Eastwood at 845-0289 or e-mail aeastwood@archone.tamu.edu.

November 10

Outstanding Alumni Award Banquet: The College of Architecture will honor the 2006 recipients of the Outstanding Alumni Award 6:30 - 10 p.m. at Miramont Country Club. For more information, contact Trish Pannell at 979.458.0400 or e-mail t-pannell@tamu.edu.

Dean's Advisory Council Fall Meeting: The meeting will be held 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. in Langford A 217 Conference Room. For more information, contact Trish Pannell at 458-0400 or e-mail t-pannell@tamu.edu.

Fifth Annual Health Industry Advisory Council Meeting: The daylong HIAC meeting features lectures and member networking with faculty fellows from the College of Architecture's Center for Health Systems & Design. Dr. John Zeisel, president and co-founder of Hearthstone Alzheimer Care, Ltd. will present the keynote address. He will also be available to sign copies of his classic text, "Inquiry by Design," which is hot off the press. For more information, contact Judy Pruitt at 845-7009 or e-mail jpruitt@archmail.tamu.edu.

Viz talent

At last month’s Viz-a-GoGo 13, four prestigious scholarships were announced in the Texas A&M Department of Architecture’s Master of Science in Visualization Science program. The Industrial Light + Magic Scholarship went to Patrick O-Brien (pictured second from the right), a first-year Vizzer. Three Pixar Scholarships were awarded to (from the left), Seth Freeman, Michael Losure and (far right) Can Yuksel, who are also wrapping up their first year in the MSViz program. The scholarships are funded by former students who are currently working for Pixar and ILM, and their donations are matched by their companies. The scholarship awards are based primarily on the quality of the students’ work as seen in the program’s annual showcase event, Viz-a-GoGo.