Gather Light: ARC 201
Students in CAPLA’s ARC 201 studio, guided by faculty including Christopher Domin and others, completed the "Gather Light" project focused on understanding and designing in harmony with the Sonoran Desert environment. Through observation, drawing, and modeling, students explored how light, nature, and architecture interact. Key activities involved studying desert plants, translating their forms into design systems, and developing canopies that filter light and enhance outdoor spaces. The project emphasized hands-on learning, teamwork, and iterative design using 2D and 3D representations to create thoughtful architectural interventions that respect and respond to the desert landscape.
Lecturer Christopher Tucker wins AIA Design Pedagogy Award for innovative Abiotic Studio
Christopher Tucker, a lecturer in architecture at CAPLA, received the American Institute of Architects’ Design Pedagogy Award for his Abiotic Studio, a fourth-year course that challenges students to engage with ecological realities and reimagine post-industrial landscapes through more-than-human perspectives.
Extreme Heat Planning Works: Building on a Proven Platform at the Second Annual Southern Arizona Heat Summit
Held at the University of Arizona’s ENR2 building, the 2nd Annual Southern Arizona Heat Summit brought together experts and community leaders to discuss strategies for extreme heat preparedness, featuring presentations from City of Tucson Mayor Regina Romero and other officials.
Travel scholars embark on transformative study abroad experiences
Announcing the 2025 Travel Scholarship recipients—students who will expand their architectural knowledge through study abroad, reflecting CAPLA's commitment to transformative, real-world learning.
Santa Cruz River moves closer to national designation with guidance from U of A experts
Mackenzie Waller, assistant professor of landscape architecture, leads effort to have portions of the Santa Cruz River added to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's National Wildlife Refuge System.
Learning from the Best: Isabella Cleopatra de Sousa Proulx '25 B.LA
Isabella Cleopatra de Sousa Proulx ‘25 B.LA recently completed an internship with Universal Studios in Orlando, where she contributed to the highly anticipated Epic Universe theme park, opening in May 2025.
CAPLA Study Abroad: Arden Cherry, BLA ‘25
Arden Cherry, BLA '25, traveled abroad with CAPLA to Paris last summer and left with new friends and a new understanding of the world around her.
Lecture Recap | "Building in Place" by Lorcan O'Herlihy
Lorcan O’Herlihy discussed his new book, "Building in Place: Architecture Rooted in Context & Social Equity" and explored LOHA’s methodology driving impactful solutions and strategies for architectural projects developed with social, political, and economic context in mind.
"AIA Architect" | How design adapts to the Sonoran Desert
HK Associates, the architecture firm co-led by Michael Kothke, professor of practice in the School of Architecture, and Kathy Hancox, was recently featured in AIA Architect, the digital publication of the American Institute of Architects (AIA).
Robin Shambach, B.Arch '85, named CAPLA's Alumna of the Year
Robin Shambach is one of 18 distinguished alumni honored during the University of Arizona’s Alumni of the Year Awards Ceremony on February 27. The award recognizes individuals for their professional achievements, public service, advocacy for education, volunteerism, and contributions to students, their college, and the university.
Exploring Change: CAPLA Students Publish Ninth Installment of [ABouT] Journal
The ninth edition of [ABouT] Journal, [ABouT] CHANGE, was created by CAPLA students to explore change in the Southwest through student projects, interdisciplinary work, and expert insights, while also giving students hands-on experience in publishing and collaboration.