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Research and Creative Scholarship

Discover architecture through study abroad programs, professional residencies and internships, and student organizations

Awards and Recognition

Community and Professional Engagement

Publications and Exhibitions

Research and Creative Scholarship

Student Research and Creative Scholarship

Keynotes and Invited Lectures

Aerogel Acoustic Treatment for Building Applications

Student and professor looking at aerogel

The goal of this project is to develop and validate an innovative aerogel-based acoustic solution that integrates exceptional sound absorption for building applications.

AI-Accessibility

Hands touching model

The AI-Accessibility project brings together faculty and student researchers from architecture, computer science, human sciences, and marketing, to design and test new building technologies which aim to maximize the functionality of artificially intelligent navigation aids for individuals with disability.

Digital Fabrication and Computational Design Projects

Bamboo structure in field

At the forefront of architectural innovation, the Digital Fabrication and Computational Design initiative at Virginia Tech explores how emerging technologies are reshaping the way we design and build. This platform brings together research and pedagogical projects that harness computational thinking, parametric modeling, robotics, and advanced fabrication methods to expand the boundaries of architectural practice.

Interactive Built Environment

Blue square model

Interactive Built Environments is an emerging field at the intersection of architecture, computation, and human–environment interaction. It focuses on transforming buildings from static physical structures into responsive systems that can sense, interpret, and adapt to human activity and environmental change in real time. Through the integration of sensor networks, artificial intelligence, and adaptive materials, these environments enable spaces that can perceive human activity, interpret intent, and respond through changes in atmosphere, interface, or structure.

Research Institutes and Centers

Virginia Tech's research institutes promote interdisciplinary collaboration to address real-world challenges and enhance the built environment. 

The Center for Design Research (CDR) links the academy, industry, and design practice by creating opportunities for collaboration through applied research; establishes corporate partnerships and sponsorships within the prospectus of design research; expands capacity by building relationships within the design professions and affiliated industries; initiates collaborative research projects within and beyond the boundaries of the university; and strengthens all areas of research through cross-disciplinary team building, and the integration of teaching and research.

Contact: Nathan King

For more info…

The mission of the International Archive of Women in Architecture (IAWA) is to document the history of women’s involvement in architecture, interior and industrial design, landscape architecture, urban design and planning, architectural history and criticism, and the records of women’s professional organizations. Each year, IAWA hosts the IAWA Symposium and awards the Milka Bliznakov Student Research Prize.

Current projects include

● Digital Exhibition at the Venice Biennale, until November 23, 2025: a celebration of women’s contribution to the built environment

● In preparation: Exhibition at the Washington District Architecture Center

Contact: Paola Zellner

For more info…

The Center for High Performance Environments (CHPE) serves as a first-of-its-kind resource for designers, engineers, system consultants, teachers, school administrators, facility managers, building owners and others interested in improving the design and operation of built environments. The CHPE takes a holistic approach to the design of buildings and focuses on a range of multidisciplinary activities, including energy efficiency, sustainability, systems integration, evaluating the building envelope, and integrating appropriate technology into indoor environments of the 21st century. 

Current projects include:

● Sustainable Concrete - The exploration of reusing precast concrete systems. In cooperation with the Precast Concrete Institute and Metromont (Precast concrete manufacturer) educational material related to the use of precast concrete systems is being developed and integrated into the design lab for MArch 2 students.

● Transforming Precast Concrete Construction through a Cradle-to-Cradle Approach from the Coalition for Smart Construction at Virginia Tech. This 18-month cross-disciplinary pilot project explores the opportunities and constraints related to recycling and repurposing precast concrete systems.

● A Prototypical Biophilic Lighting System. In collaboration with Dr. Ron Gibbons, Professor John Ambrosone and Master of Science student Heather-Anne Holland, we are exploring the design and development of a lighting system that improves occupant health and wellness through the integration of biophilic design strategies.

Contact: Jim Jones

The Community Design Assistance Center (CDAC) is a research and outreach center across the College of Architecture, Arts and Design. The vision of the Center is to strengthen a civil society by linking university expertise and societal needs as they relate to the environment in which we live. CDAC assists communities, neighborhood groups, and non-profit organizations in improving the natural and built environments through design, planning, policy, and research.

Current projects include

● Growing Amonate, VA: co-creation of the vision for economic development and heritage conservation for the Amonate community

● Pocahantas, VA: assistance to heritage conservation and reuse

Contact: Elizabeth Gilboy

For more info…

The Henry H. Wiss Center for Theory and History of Art and Architecture (formerly Center for Theory and History of Architecture) was established in 1984 for the purpose of gathering and actualizing interests in teaching, study and research of contemporary and historic art and architecture and theory. From its inception, the Center has been committed to providing students who wish to study the history of art and architecture, architectural criticism or design theory with frameworks for understanding, with methods by which the studies may be pursued, and with opportunities for examining these questions in a discussion forum.

Current projects include

● Implementation of Master Plan for the conservation of historic Solitude on campus, including the Main Building and its two dependencies, the Fraction Family House and the Spring House, as well as 3.2 acres of surrounding land up to the southern edge of the upper Duck Pond. The chapter titled The Importance of Solitude and its Restoration, by the Center Director, was submitted for the forthcoming publication edited by Dr. Anita Puckett.

● Implementation of the Master Plan for the conservation of the Spanish Colonial city of Santa Fe in Argentina.

● Continuing support to the International Archive of Women in Architecture (IAWA) in Special Collections, Newman Library, and most recently for the participation of the International Exhibition, Biennale of Art and Architecture in Venice, Italy.

Contact: Bert Rodriguez