Learning from and Serving California

This issue of Connections shares stories about the many ways College of Architecture and Environmental Design students, faculty, staff, alumni and friends serve and learn from California. Leveraging the power of doing to merge education, scholarship and service is built on meaningful relationships that come about when our faculty and students make longterm, deep commitments that transcend single activities or projects. When communities know they can draw from our diverse pool of talents and disciplines over the years, our partnerships impact the future.

One of many great examples is our work with Weed, California. Our service there began in the aftermath of the Boles Fire when city and regional planning students assisted with on-site community outreach and engaged with city leaders and administrators to produce a General Plan Update and the first Resiliency Plan for a small town in California. They learned about the social disruption and economic impacts of destroyed housing and the pressing need to rebuild in ways that would offer affordable dwellings for Weed’s residents. This led to a partnership involving our interdisciplinary studios, local nonprofits and community members to design a new generation of sustainable, affordable houses. Our relationship with Weed continues today as the first prototype designed and built by students of architecture, architectural engineering, and construction management creates a house that a family will call home.

On behalf of our students, faculty, staff and partners, thank you for all that you do to help us serve and learn.

EMPOWERING STUDENTS

EMPOWERING EXCELLENCE

EMPOWERING INNOVATION

THIS IS OUR RESPONSIBILITY.

THIS IS OUR POWER.

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Content Manager: Dean Christine

Writers/Contributors: Christine Theodoropoulos, James Mwangi, Jessica Otten, Ray Ladd, Doris Chang, TJ Carhart, and as noted in bylines

Copy Editing: James Mwangi, Ray Ladd, Cynthia Lambert and AMF Media Group

Photography: Josef Kaspervich, CAED photographer; Joe Johnston, university photographer; Davis Lalush Photography; and courtesy images from contributors

Design and Printing: AMF Media Group and Central Coast Printing