M.Arch Student Named 2020 AIAS Crit Scholar
February 7, 2020
Graduate student Jackson Reed was recently selected as a 2020 Crit Scholar by the American Institute of Architecture Students (AIAS). The Crit Scholars program, sponsored by the AIA with the goal of supporting architectural research, provides recipients with grants of $1,000 each to support their research projects, and also includes professional mentorship from a practitioner involved in design research at a leading architecture firm.
His thesis, entitled "Prophylactic Architecture; a Biophilic Approach to Mental Health and Wellness" explores the potential for natural elements and environmental conditions to promote wellness in the context of a healthcare setting. In partnership with a local health clinic, and under the guidance of mentor Jeri Brittin, PhD and director of research at HDR, the project employs an Evidence-Based Design methodology to evaluate proposals for a community health and wellness center in Christiansburg, VA. At the program's conclusion, he will have the opportunity to present the project at national conferences and symposia, participating host firms, and in the Crit Journal publication of the AIAS.