Graduate Student Work Spotlight: Kayla MicKinney

This week we are featuring the work and journey of Kayla McKinney. Her time at Virginia Tech is an inspiring example for finding passions through the exploration of media across the different schools. Kayla is a master’s student and a graduate of Virginia Tech’s Bachelor of Architecture program. Over the past six years in the School of Architecture, Arts, and Design, she has learned the importance of advocating for her ideas and designs.

Kayla has developed her Master of Science thesis around sustainability with an interdisciplinary network of mentors. By studying cultural timber architecture, she aims to understand the integration of wood traditions within sustainability. This involves analyzing historic and vernacular buildings to explore the relationship between culture, climate, and architectural expression. Her study seeks to merge traditional craftsmanship with modern technology, enhancing efficiency in mass timber construction while preserving cultural heritage.

In addition to her research, Kayla holds a graduate teaching assistantship in the School of Performing Arts, working in the costume shop. Costuming, though a small part of theater production, is crucial to character development. Collaborating with the Taubman Museum on the exhibition "Fashioning Sargent," Kayla worked on a 3D-printed reinterpretation of a portrait by John Singer Sargent. This project showcased how 3D printing can revolutionize design, allowing for experimentation with shapes and textures previously thought impossible.This week we are featuring the work and journey of Kayla McKinney. Her time at Virginia Tech is an inspiring example for finding passions through the exploration of media across the different schools. Kayla is a master’s student and a graduate of Virginia Tech’s Bachelor of Architecture program. Over the past six years in the School of Architecture, Arts, and Design, she has learned the importance of advocating for her ideas and designs.

Kayla has developed her Master of Science thesis around sustainability with an interdisciplinary network of mentors. By studying cultural timber architecture, she aims to understand the integration of wood traditions within sustainability. This involves analyzing historic and vernacular buildings to explore the relationship between culture, climate, and architectural expression. Her study seeks to merge traditional craftsmanship with modern technology, enhancing efficiency in mass timber construction while preserving cultural heritage.

In addition to her research, Kayla holds a graduate teaching assistantship in the School of Performing Arts, working in the costume shop. Costuming, though a small part of theater production, is crucial to character development. Collaborating with the Taubman Museum on the exhibition "Fashioning Sargent," Kayla worked on a 3D-printed reinterpretation of a portrait by John Singer Sargent. This project showcased how 3D printing can revolutionize design, allowing for experimentation with shapes and textures previously thought impossible.