The School of Architecture and Planning at The Catholic University of America instituted a new position for an Associate Dean for Research to coordinate and support research/creative work efforts at the school. Professor Barry D. Yatt, FAIA, CSI, was appointed the first ADR.

Professor Barry Yatt, FAIA, CSI, co-wrote with Joseph, McCade, Ed.D, a chapter titled “Defining Creativity and Design” for an upcoming book by CTTE, the Council on Technology Teacher Education. This spring, he also will be presenting a three-part national webinar for CSI on the National CAD Standard (NCS), based on the work of a CSI Task Team. He continues to work on the manuscript of his book on predesign analysis Definition: Gaining Insight,. Professor Yatt is also working with a team of experts in artificial intelligence, systems architecture, and space sciences on a grant from DARPA, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency. They are developing an “adaptive” (that learns from its experiences) but “psychologically stable” computer program that develops optimized designs for the complex systems applicable to space missions and that are responsive to evolving needs, resources, and conditions. Prof. Yatt’s contribution to the team is in the area of predesign analysis, stakeholder facilitation, and graphic design.

The school recently established a new Center for Building Stewardship as the research arm of the Master of Science in Sustainable Design program.

Professor Julius Levine, FAICP, is nearing completion of a book titled Reweaving a Neighborhood Fabric: Perpetuating Diversity, Buttressing Shepherd Park through the next generation of Ohev Shalom congregants.  

Associate Professor Eric Jenkins, AIA, continues to research the links between analytical freehand sketching and design education by examining recent studies in cognitive psychology and in human physiology. He is completing work on a book titled Design by Drawing to be published by Routledge with a grant from the Graham Foundation.

Associate Professor Chris Grech, RIBA, director of the MSSD program is carrying out research for the Athena Sustainable Materials Institute on a database of building materials in the Washington, DC area.

Associate Professor Miriam Gusevich presented two papers this past summer. Urban Pentimento: Redeeming the Metropolitan Landscape, was presented at the EURA conference in Copenhagen and Architecture, Ecology and Economy was presented at the Economy Conference at the School of Architecture in Cardiff, Wales.

Assistant Professor Brad Guy, Assoc AIA, LEED AP, received a grant for $10,009 from the Construction Materials Recycling Association to research and develop a national standard for certification of construction and demolition debris processing facility recycling rates, tentatively titled “Certification of Recycling Rates” (CORR).