NEWSLETTER - December 20, 2024

Texas Tech University’s (TTU) commencement ceremonies took place on December 13th and 14th, 2024. The Huckabee College of Architecture (HCOA) and TTU, proudly bestowed diplomas upon 14 students last weekend; four undergraduate students and eight master’s students from our Lubbock campus and two undergraduate students from the HCOA's El Paso campus.

We sincerely congratulate each of you on this significant achievement! Your commitment to academic excellence has laid the foundation for bright and successful futures. We are confident you will continue to excel in your chosen paths and wish you every success as you begin this exciting new chapter. 

A heartfelt thank you to our faculty and staff for their steadfast support and guidance, which are vital in shaping the education and growth of our students! 

Registration for the Huckabee College of Architecture

CAREER FAIR 2025 IS OPEN! 

This is a fantastic opportunity for prospective employers to connect with talented undergraduate and graduate students from the Huckabee College of Architecture eager to learn more about the full-time, part-time, internship, and seasonal roles with your firm.

With your support, we can create valuable experiences that empower our students with the skills they need to confidently transition into the next stage of their careers!

Dates: February 18th - 20th, 2025

Space is limited – reserve your spot today via the links below!

Wednesday, Feb. 19th: REGISTER HERE

Thursday, Feb. 20th: REGISTER HERE

Career Fair Mixers: Join us for an informal networking event with students, firm representatives, and faculty the evening(s) prior to your scheduled interviews.

Booth Setup: Private draping, chairs, 6 ft. tables, electricity, and internet access.

Meals: Breakfast and lunch provided.

Parking will be available at the Flint Avenue parking garage conveniently located across the street. A link to register for vehicle permits will be provided soon.

For any additional questions regarding the career fair, please contact Sr. Event Coordinator Rachel Roe via email at Rachel.Roe@ttu.edu or by phone at 806.834.4154.

If you have trouble with registration or scheduling, please contact Brittainy Klemme at Brittainy.E.Klemme@ttu.edu.

THANK YOU TO OUR CAREER SEASON SPONSORS!

GOLD SPONSORS:

Professor Joe Aranha was the keynote speaker at the 13th International Seminar on Vernacular Settlements (ISVS-13) in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Aranha spoke on the theme of "The Relevance of Vernacular Architecture Studies Today" in the education of the architect. His presentation examined the role these studies play in perpetuating vernacular building traditions and how innovative contemporary architectural design drawn from understanding of local or regional vernacular architecture can respond to environmental, cultural and local sustainability needs worldwide. 

Assistant Professor Dr. Asma Mehan and M.Arch student Zachary S. Casey presented their research, titled, “Blue Infrastructures: An Exploration of Oceanic Networks and Urban–Industrial–Energy Interactions in the Gulf of Mexico” at the 29th International Interdisciplinary Conference on the Environment (IICE), hosted by the Department of Design and College of Health & Human Sciences at Texas Tech University. 

Their research explores the intersection of marine environments and urban infrastructure, highlighting the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway’s (GIWW) significance and the ecological impact of activities like dredging. It emphasizes the importance of critically evaluating how offshore structures in the Gulf can be sustainably repurposed into thriving marine habitats. 

Assistant Professor Dr. Asma Mehan and M.Arch student Zachary S. Casey published their research, titled, “The Petrological Imprint: A Comprehensive Study of Spindletop’s Role in the Morphogenesis of the Golden Triangle of Texas” in Networks, Markets & People. 

This research explores the significant impact of the discovery of the "Golden Triangle" in Southeat Texas which shifted the region’s economic focus from lumber and cattle to a center in the petroleum era. The study examines the socio-economic and urban changes in the cities of Beaumont, Port Arthur, and Orange, as well as the environmental consequences of industrial growth in the area. A mixed-methods approach was employed, combining archival research and oral histories to capture socio-cultural shifts, along with spatial analysis tools to quantify urban expansion post-Spindletop. Environmental impact assessments were also conducted to evaluate the ecological side-effects of industrial development. The Golden Triangle’s journey is a microcosm of global themes such as the balance between innovation and sustainability, and the tension between economic growth and ecological responsibility. This research highlights the historical reliance on fossil fuels and the pressing need for sustainable energy paths, reminding us of the cyclical nature of progress and the importance of aligning human aspirations with environmental stewardship. 

To access the publication, click the link here. 

Assistant Professor Dr. Asma Mehan and Ph.D. student Seyed Alireza Seyedi published their research, titled, “Sustainable Transition in Iran’s Oil Towns: A Focus on Masjed Soleyman” in Network, Markets & People. 

The study explores the sustainability transition in Iran's oil towns, emphasizing Masjed Soleyman’s evolution. Stemming from the Industrial Revolution, the search for new energy led to the early 20th century D'Arcy Concession, catalyzing oil exploration in Iran. This resulted in the pivotal discovery of oil in Masjed Soleyman in 1908, transforming an uninhabited area into a thriving town intricately linked to the Anglo-Persian Oil Company (APOC). This research analyzes the unsustainable nature of oil exploration, particularly highlighting APOC's colonial practices, like racial segregation between European and Iranian staff. The study identifies pathways for sustainable development, emphasizing the role of Masjed Soleyman's oil heritage. It advocates for the adaptive reuse of historical buildings for diverse community functions, thereby promoting sustainability and cultural preservation. 

To access the publication, click the link here. 

Associate Professor Dr. Sina Mostafavi, along with Adam Marcus, Tsz Yan Ng, Maria Yablonina, and Ehsan Baharlou, has co-edited a special issue of the International Journal of Architectural Computing (IJAC) journal. "Ecological Levers: Autonomy and Interdependence" discusses the evolving role of architecture in the context of global ecological challenges, exploring the potential of design computation and emerging technologies in promoting new modes of interdependence between humans, machines, and ecosystems.

This special issue examines how design computation and building automation can discover and encourage new interdependencies between humans, machines, and ecosystems. Using "ecological levers" as a metaphor, it explores how small actions, amplified by catalytic systems, can lead to significant change in addressing ecological crises. The volume also poses questions about balancing complexity and computability, establishing new research cultures to effect impactful outcomes, and leveraging computational processes to enhance our stewardship of both materials and ecosystems.  

The edition covers topics such as bamboo spatial systems with integrated workflows and semi-automated fabrication, clay 3D printed hydroponics for addressing food insecurity, and multimodal learning for daylight and view quality assessment in residential buildings. It also discusses empathy with material movements in the context of spectral ruins, cooperative timber joint assembly through augmented reality, and autonomous construction ecologies using multi-agent reinforcement learning for collaborative robotic systems.

To learn more about the subjects covered in this issue, access the link here: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/14780771241298507 

To read the full text, click the link here: https://journals.sagepub.com/toc/jaca/22/4

Donations are critical to the advancement of our program. With your contributions, we can fund our merit-based scholarships, recruit extraordinary faculty, fund research endeavors and improve our facilities. No gift is too small to make an impact on our students, faculty, and staff. If you're interested in giving, the Texas Tech University Office of Institutional Advancement has a convenient web portal for making secure, online donations to one of the established Huckabee College of Architecture funds. Click here to donate.

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