Urban Design Studio

The School of Architecture at Andrews University advocates the building and preservation of rural and urban landscapes which promote civility, healthy living and environmental stewardship. During their final year of study, all architecture students participate in the annual Urban Design Studio to serve a community in need of a sound growth strategy. Urban design principles are taught throughout the curriculum in an effort to pursue a coherent relationship between the design of individual buildings and the cultivation of larger landscapes.

Since 1997, Andrews University has conducted the Urban Design Studio according the principles set out by The New Urbanism - an international interdisciplinary movement which advocates the building of communities congruent with the Division's mission. The Charter of the New Urbanism promotes landscape preservation, walkable neighborhoods, stable communities, public life, and the celebration of local heritage as an alternative to suburban sprawl and the excesses of the industrial city. In this context, the School of Architecture seeks to serve rural communities, villages, towns, and urban neighborhoods in their community-building efforts by providing useful urban design proposals.

Every year, the Urban Design Studio takes on such a project in a real community by hosting a citizen-based participatory urban design process, also known as a 'charrette'. Students typically spend an intense 8-10 days in September within the client community to study local conditions and to jumpstart the design and planning process with public participation. A final proposal document, including proposed regulatory policies such as a form-based code, is completed at Andrews University in the remaining academic semester. Past projects have included work in Palmer (Alaska), Plymouth (Indiana), Berrien Springs, Cedarville, Empire, Suttons Bay, Traverse City, Wayne (Michigan), Saucier (Mississippi), and Billings (Montana). Student proposals are reviewed by New Urban practitioners of national stature and have led to implementation in several communities.

In 2006, Andrews University was ranked by New Urban News as one of the best six US schools in which to study New Urbanism. The studio was also recognized with a 2007 CNU Charter Award of Excellence for its work on the Gulf Coast in Mississippi. Communities interested in the process, details and costs can contact Professor Andrew von Maur at avonmaur@andrews.edu. Past project images can be viewed on this website's 5th Year Fall Student Work Gallery. Studio participants also maintain a website (www.andrewsurbandesign.org) which features the most recent projects.