![The Farmhouse by Austrian studio Precht](/sites/default/files/styles/16_9_768x432/public/2024-02/Farmhouse_Precht_2023%2B-%2BJared%2BAbraham.jpg.jpeg?itok=DUuBAbRo)
Spring 2024 Public Programs: Resolutions
The spring public programs emphasize architects as mediators negotiating disparate modes of thought, creating common ground and mitigating harm. We discuss how our work addresses critical sites and debates in the world around us; what it takes to articulate our values and stand by them.
Climate Change – Artificial Intelligence – Social Justice
Carnegie Mellon Architecture is committed to preparing our students to address the pressing challenges of our time. From the environmental, to the technological, to the social, our programs provide deep immersion in the discipline of architecture, intensified by the broader Carnegie Mellon culture of interdisciplinary innovation and creative inquiry.
PJ Dick Innovation Fund Project Grants
PJ Dick Innovation Fund Project Grant: Craft Practices and Computation in Three Cultures
This project is an ethnographic study, computational investigation and design exploration of craft practices in three different locations: willow, wire and textile weaving in Pittsburgh; the Gullah tradition of sweetgrass basket weaving in South Carolina; and joinery, umbrella-making and weaving in Thailand.
![a hand weaves a sweetgrass basket on top of a book cover](https://www.architecture.cmu.edu/sites/default/files/2024-01/Sweetgrass_basket_weaving.%20photo%20by%20Vernelle%20A.%20A.%20Noel%20-%20Vernelle%20Noel.jpg)
This project is an ethnographic study, computational investigation and design exploration of craft practices in three different locations: willow, wire and textile weaving in Pittsburgh; the Gullah tradition of sweetgrass basket weaving in South Carolina; and joinery, umbrella-making and weaving in Thailand.
PJ Dick Innovation Fund Project Grant: Contestations of Modernity
This proposal is for a book that offers readings in Design Ethics on questions of broad contemporary import: that of participatory publics in an era of neoliberal development and hardline politics, of design and its spatial agency, of the legacies and futures of modernism in the global south, and of the care and repair of buildings and cities in an age of climate crises.
![black and white photo of an architectural model by student Shray Tripathi](https://www.architecture.cmu.edu/sites/default/files/2024-01/Shray_Model_Site-bw%20-%20Sarosh%20Anklesaria.jpg)
This proposal is for a book that offers readings in Design Ethics on questions of broad contemporary import: that of participatory publics in an era of neoliberal development and hardline politics, of design and its spatial agency, of the legacies and futures of modernism in the global south, and of the care and repair of buildings and cities in an age of climate crises.
PJ Dick Innovation Fund Project Grant: Village in the City, City in the Village
In collaboration with Chiang Mai University, the proposal expands a relationship between designers, students and local villagers to focus on the current urbanization of a municipality of agricultural villages in San Pu Loei.
In collaboration with Chiang Mai University, the proposal expands a relationship between designers, students and local villagers to focus on the current urbanization of a municipality of agricultural villages in San Pu Loei.
PJ Dick Innovation Fund Project Grant: Farm to Prototype
This proposal seeks support for the construction and testing of a series of full-scale hempcrete architectural assemblies.
![rendering of a gray building with a wooden roof structure](https://www.architecture.cmu.edu/sites/default/files/2024-01/sequence_12%20-%20Jeremy%20Ficca_0.png)
This proposal seeks support for the construction and testing of a series of full-scale hempcrete architectural assemblies.
PJ Dick Innovation Fund Project Grant: Greenhouse Design-Build Project
This year-long studio project utilizes bamboo that has been repurposed from the previous NOMAS Spring Carnival Pavilion installed on campus. The project aims to set a cogent case of low-carbon practices through a full-scale intervention in the neighborhood, thereby supporting an underserved community.
![rendering of a bamboo pavilion and a greenhouse](https://www.architecture.cmu.edu/sites/default/files/2024-01/The%20Second%20Life%20-%20Vicky%20Achnani_1200px.jpg)
This year-long studio project utilizes bamboo that has been repurposed from the previous NOMAS Spring Carnival Pavilion installed on campus. The project aims to set a cogent case of low-carbon practices through a full-scale intervention in the neighborhood, thereby supporting an underserved community.
PJ Dick Innovation Fund Project Grant: Sharing the Entangled Stories of the Anthropocene
This project emerges from the teaching and research work of the project lead over the last two years. This application is for the dissemination/sharing of stories globally as a storybook of methodologies, and locally as a series of stories shared as an exhibit.
![a large drawing on the floor in an exhibition space](https://www.architecture.cmu.edu/sites/default/files/2024-01/Entangled%20Stories%20of%20the%20Anthropocene-33%20-%20Priyanka%20Bista.jpeg)
This project emerges from the teaching and research work of the project lead over the last two years. This application is for the dissemination/sharing of stories globally as a storybook of methodologies, and locally as a series of stories shared as an exhibit.
PJ Dick Innovation Fund Project Grant: Sustainable Design for Uncertain Futures Book and Website
The aim of this book and website is to provide academics and practitioners with strategies that can be used in combination throughout the building project lifecycle to help designers align their work with the appropriate forces of change.
![project graphic for Sustainable Design for Uncertain Futures](https://www.architecture.cmu.edu/sites/default/files/2024-01/Sustainable%20Design%20for%20Uncertain%20Futures%20-%20Joshua%20Lee_image.jpg)
The aim of this book and website is to provide academics and practitioners with strategies that can be used in combination throughout the building project lifecycle to help designers align their work with the appropriate forces of change.
PJ Dick Innovation Fund Project Grant: Leveraging AI for Equitable Lighting
This project aims to address these disparities by developing a user-centric smart lighting system that collaborates with the architectural façade to enhance mood and perception while ensuring equitable access to quality lighting in everyday spaces.
![lighting system diagram](https://www.architecture.cmu.edu/sites/default/files/2024-01/Edit_System_Diagram%20-%20Azadeh%20Sawyer.png)
This project aims to address these disparities by developing a user-centric smart lighting system that collaborates with the architectural façade to enhance mood and perception while ensuring equitable access to quality lighting in everyday spaces.
PJ Dick Innovation Fund Project Grant: (de)Mass(ing) Timber
We see this proposal as a seed grant to identify three pathways of tectonic/geometric strategies that can be further elaborated at full scale with future funding and industry partnerships. Emerging technologies, such as AI-driven generative design and optimization, AR enhanced construction, and other computational processes will be essential to developing the work.
![black and white photo of a group of people driving a car through a tunnel in a large tree](https://www.architecture.cmu.edu/sites/default/files/2024-01/Wawona_tree1%20-%20Matthew%20Huber.jpg)
We see this proposal as a seed grant to identify three pathways of tectonic/geometric strategies that can be further elaborated at full scale with future funding and industry partnerships. Emerging technologies, such as AI-driven generative design and optimization, AR enhanced construction, and other computational processes will be essential to developing the work.
PJ Dick Innovation Fund Project Grant: Regenerative Structures Laboratory
This proposal seeks to establish the “Regenerative Structures Laboratory” at Carnegie Mellon Architecture.
![large industrial room with machinery](https://www.architecture.cmu.edu/sites/default/files/2024-01/juneyl_key-image%20-%20Juney%20Lee.jpg)
This proposal seeks to establish the “Regenerative Structures Laboratory” at Carnegie Mellon Architecture.
PJ Dick Innovation Fund Teaching Grant: Urbanism and Social Production of Space
Jongwan Kwon, Assistant Teaching Professor
![color drawing of Arctic Town by Ralph Erskine (1958)](https://www.architecture.cmu.edu/sites/default/files/2024-01/Arctic%20Town_Ralph%20Erskine%20-%20Jongwan%20Kwon.jpg)
Jongwan Kwon, Assistant Teaching Professor
PJ Dick Innovation Fund Teaching Grant: Image Deep: /Contested Matter
Dana Cupkova, Associate Professor
![an AI Workflow Diagram created by Kui Yang Yang](https://www.architecture.cmu.edu/sites/default/files/2024-01/ImageDeep_Process%20Overview_Kuiyang%20-%20Dana%20Cupkova.png)
Dana Cupkova, Associate Professor
PJ Dick Innovation Fund Teaching Grant: The Pittsburgh Sequence
Francesca Torello, Special Faculty
![colorful graphic plan drawing of downtown Pittsburgh](https://www.architecture.cmu.edu/sites/default/files/2024-01/Torello%20-%20Francesca%20Torello.jpg)
Francesca Torello, Special Faculty
PJ Dick Innovation Fund Teaching Grant: Mixed Use in Pittsburgh's “Climate Haven”
Jared Abraham, Associate Studio Professor
![architectural design of triangular shaped balconies with patio furniture and plants](https://www.architecture.cmu.edu/sites/default/files/2024-01/Farmhouse_Precht_2023%20-%20Jared%20Abraham.jpg)
Jared Abraham, Associate Studio Professor
PJ Dick Innovation Fund Teaching Grant: Data Dump
Daragh Byrne, Associate Teaching Professor
![three people look at printed pages on a table](https://www.architecture.cmu.edu/sites/default/files/2024-01/data%20dump.jpg)
Daragh Byrne, Associate Teaching Professor
PJ Dick Innovation Fund Teaching Grant: Unsettling Ground
Tuliza Sindi, Ann Kalla Visiting Professor in Architecture
![Lukasa memory board, hourglass-shaped wooden tablet covered with multicolored beads and carved symbols](https://www.architecture.cmu.edu/sites/default/files/2024-01/1280px-Brooklyn_Museum_76.20.4_Lukasa_Memory_Board_png%20-%20Tuliza%20Sindi.png)
Tuliza Sindi, Ann Kalla Visiting Professor in Architecture
![a hand weaves a sweetgrass basket on top of a book cover](/sites/default/files/styles/16_9_2400x1350/public/2024-01/Sweetgrass_basket_weaving.%20photo%20by%20Vernelle%20A.%20A.%20Noel%20-%20Vernelle%20Noel.jpg.jpeg?itok=xq1Ibl31)
![black and white photo of an architectural model by student Shray Tripathi](/sites/default/files/styles/16_9_2400x1350/public/2024-01/Shray_Model_Site-bw%20-%20Sarosh%20Anklesaria.jpg.jpeg?itok=3Sus32XX)
![a group of Chiang Mai University and Carnegie Mellon Architecture students with Grandmother Boon Reaung](/sites/default/files/styles/16_9_2400x1350/public/2024-01/Yang_cmucmu_GrandBoonReaung%20-%20Tommy%20Yang.JPG.jpeg?itok=3990aAbk)
![rendering of a gray building with a wooden roof structure](/sites/default/files/styles/16_9_2400x1350/public/2024-01/sequence_12%20-%20Jeremy%20Ficca_0.png.jpeg?itok=Cap-ir58)
![rendering of a bamboo pavilion and a greenhouse](/sites/default/files/styles/16_9_2400x1350/public/2024-01/The%20Second%20Life%20-%20Vicky%20Achnani_1200px.jpg.jpeg?itok=GyH4pJxm)
![a large drawing on the floor in an exhibition space](/sites/default/files/styles/16_9_2400x1350/public/2024-01/Entangled%20Stories%20of%20the%20Anthropocene-33%20-%20Priyanka%20Bista.jpeg?h=71976bb4&itok=3A1M7VTW)
![project graphic for Sustainable Design for Uncertain Futures](/sites/default/files/styles/16_9_2400x1350/public/2024-01/Sustainable%20Design%20for%20Uncertain%20Futures%20-%20Joshua%20Lee_image.jpg.jpeg?itok=1AHElTBS)
![lighting system diagram](/sites/default/files/styles/16_9_2400x1350/public/2024-01/Edit_System_Diagram%20-%20Azadeh%20Sawyer.png.jpeg?itok=hCNqbXpQ)
![black and white photo of a group of people driving a car through a tunnel in a large tree](/sites/default/files/styles/16_9_2400x1350/public/2024-01/Wawona_tree1%20-%20Matthew%20Huber.jpg.jpeg?itok=dBpF9qoT)
![large industrial room with machinery](/sites/default/files/styles/16_9_2400x1350/public/2024-01/juneyl_key-image%20-%20Juney%20Lee.jpg.jpeg?itok=45EefH1k)
![color drawing of Arctic Town by Ralph Erskine (1958)](/sites/default/files/styles/16_9_2400x1350/public/2024-01/Arctic%20Town_Ralph%20Erskine%20-%20Jongwan%20Kwon.jpg.jpeg?itok=vRDDQr5M)
![an AI Workflow Diagram created by Kui Yang Yang](/sites/default/files/styles/16_9_2400x1350/public/2024-01/ImageDeep_Process%20Overview_Kuiyang%20-%20Dana%20Cupkova.png.jpeg?itok=hQXkupdV)
![colorful graphic plan drawing of downtown Pittsburgh](/sites/default/files/styles/16_9_2400x1350/public/2024-01/Torello%20-%20Francesca%20Torello.jpg.jpeg?itok=dMsIz1tn)
![architectural design of triangular shaped balconies with patio furniture and plants](/sites/default/files/styles/16_9_2400x1350/public/2024-01/Farmhouse_Precht_2023%20-%20Jared%20Abraham.jpg.jpeg?itok=N9GE6zPQ)
![three people look at printed pages on a table](/sites/default/files/styles/16_9_2400x1350/public/2024-01/data%20dump.jpg.jpeg?itok=j4PCqF9B)
![Lukasa memory board, hourglass-shaped wooden tablet covered with multicolored beads and carved symbols](/sites/default/files/styles/16_9_2400x1350/public/2024-01/1280px-Brooklyn_Museum_76.20.4_Lukasa_Memory_Board_png%20-%20Tuliza%20Sindi.png.jpeg?itok=-0_RMcF5)