APDesign Newsletter 8.29.11
APDESIGN GROUP WINS SEGER PARK WATER FEATURE COMPETITION
Assistant Professors Nathan Howe and Sam Zeller, with the help of fourth-year students Ethan Rhoades, Hana Havlova, Matthew Whetstone, and Scott Davis, entered the Seger Park Water Feature Competition in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. This international competition asked participants to look at the site of the existing water feature in Seger Park and envision a design that would be contemporary, interactive, and iconic for the park.
The APDesign group’s sculptural design of concrete and water, which creates an effect of art, performance, and play, was chosen as the unanimous winner by the jury.
The design, using concrete as a fluid medium, at once provides beautiful form as a backdrop for the park but also as a form to play on, around, and through. The concrete was carefully composed to allow for an active zone for older kids and parents to play together along with a passive zone for toddlers and parents to splash. The water was choreographed with the concrete to create interactive zones where children can explore how water is diverted, flows, and pools, along with sculptural continuations where concrete ends and the water begins continuing the concrete’s form into the air. The group has been commissioned to produce a promotional model so Seger Park can continue raising funds along with designing the construction documents for bid.
PROFESSOR DAVID SACHS IS REGNIER FACULTY CHAIR FOR 2011-12
Architecture Professor David Sachs was selected as the Victor L. Regnier Distinguished Faculty Chair in the Department of Architecture. The Regnier Distinguished Faculty Chair was established by Victor A. Regnier, Robert D. Regnier, and Catherine M. Regnier to honor their father, Victor L. Regnier. The purpose of the endowment, which is administered through the Victor and Helen Regnier Family Foundation of Mission, is to recruit and retain faculty. Victor A. Regnier is a 1971 K-State graduate with degrees in architecture and architectural engineering.
ACCOUNTANT/PERSONNEL SPECIALIST JOAN KOEHLER RETIRING
Joan Koehler, APDesign Accountant and Personnel Specialist, is retiring after 25 years with the College.
Joan started in the Department of Landscape Architecture (before it combined with Regional & Community Planning) as an administrative assistant in August 1986.
“I am excited for Joan but must admit that most of our faculty and staff will be at a loss at not having her as a part of the College. As a true fixture of this place, her even-keeled, pleasant spirit and competency have been a model to all of us. I know she will bring a measured can-do spirit to crafting the most enjoyment possible in retirement, as she has around here for the past 25 years.”
Joan joined the Dean’s Office and has worked in her current position since 2006. Her last day with APDesign will be Monday, Sept. 19.
“Twenty-five years is a long time to be at any job, but my time at the College of Architecture, Planning & Design has been filled with so much change, it doesn’t really feel like that long. There are many things that I remember over that 25 years, but most of all I remember the people. I have had the opportunity to meet so many amazing people during this time. It will be different not walking into Seaton Hall every weekday, but I’m looking forward to more time with my family and pursuing interests that I’ve not had time for during my career.”
JARVIS FACULTY CHAIRS ANNOUNCED
The Department of Landscape Architecture/Regional & Community Planning announced the new Mark K. Jarvis Chairs in Landscape Architecture. Professor Chip Winslow was named Jarvis Tenured Faculty of Distinction in Landscape Architecture, and Assistant Professor Katie Kingery-Page was named Jarvis Emerging Faculty of Distinction in Landscape Architecture.
The Jarvis Chair is funded thorough a bequeathed endowment established by Mary K. Jarvis, a 1942 graduate who is thought to be the first female to receive a landscape architecture degree from K-State.
WELCOME DAMON FAIRCHILD
APDesign is happy to announce the hiring of our new Development Director, Damon Fairchild.
Damon comes to APDesign from a position at the KSU Foundation as a Development Officer for the College of Arts & Sciences.
Damon was born and raised in Manhattan and attended and played baseball for Kansas State. He graduated in 2003 with a Bachelor of Science in Social Sciences then completed a Master of Science in Counseling and Student Development in 2005. Upon graduation, he became the Director of Counseling and Student Support Services at Fort Scott Community College from 2005-2008. In May 2008, he joined the Kansas State University Foundation as a development officer for the College of Arts and Sciences and over the past three years has gained an abundant amount of knowledge of K-State and how critical philanthropy is to the advancement of the University.
“I look forward to the challenges and triumphs that the College of Architecture, Planning & Design brings and the opportunity to advance the College and University through philanthropy,” said Fairchild. “K-State alumni are very passionate about their alma mater and have been integral in enhancing today’s student experience for tomorrow’s leaders. I am excited to be working with Dean de Noble and the faculty of APDesign to unite our alumni and friends with the College’s vision.”
Damon and his wife Raven have three boys: Avery (13), Reece (8), and Jude (4 months).
DEAN, PROFESSORS SERVE ON CAMPUS MASTER PLAN TASK FORCE
Lorn Clement, Associate Professor of Landscape Architecture/Regional & Community Planning; Bob Condia, Professor of Architecture; and Professor and Dean Tim de Noble are serving on the University’s Campus Master Plan Task Force. This group will perform a focused review of the University’s facility needs and identify the need and possible locations for new buildings.
The charge to this task force is to assess and document facility needs on the Manhattan campus for the next 15 years. They will conduct surveys and interviews with colleges and other campus units, and then determine the potential need for additional buildings. The task force will work with the Advisory Committee on Campus Planning and Development to review and update the campus master plan to include potential new building sites and associated infrastructure.
The task force will be conducting listening sessions with the deans and other groups and units across campus to gather information on various facility needs and the priority of each. So that everyone has the opportunity to provide input as part of this process, K-State has developed a website where the task force will post information, and they will soon be inviting comments and suggestions.
The goal is for the task force to prepare and submit a report and recommendation by the middle of May 2012.
ARCHITECTURE PROFESSOR CHARNEY PRESENTS WORKSHOPS
Over the summer, Architecture Professor Mick Charney presented two workshops.
The first, “Looking for Mr. Wright, …and Finding Him on Facebook,” was presented at the Teaching Professor Conference in Atlanta, Georgia, in May.
The second, “Call Me Ishmael: Confronting Irreligiosity in the College Classroom through Collaborative Exercises” was presented at 36th International Improving University Teaching Conference in Bielefeld, Germany, in July.
WORDS FROM WEIGEL
We want the students, faculty, and staff of APDesign to be aware of the services and resources of Weigel Library.
To help make your life easier the following technology is available in Weigel:
- Five public access computers supported by ITAC
- One print station, which requires your Wildcat ID
- One photocopier – cash only – 10 cents for 8½x11 and 20 cents for 11x17 (copier will make change for currency.)
- One collaborative workstation – displays a single laptop screen onto a large HD monitor ideal for group work
- Two scanners – Bookeye and an 18”x24” flatbed – both are free and will email or save your images (remember to bring your flash drive)
We also have these items that might be useful too -
- Paper cutter
- Three-hole punch
- Pencil sharpener
- Staplers
- Scissors
Weigel Library has lots more to offer than just books. Come up and check it out!
RECRUITMENT REMINDERS
The APDesign academic cluster floor in the K-State residence halls is located on fourth floor of Goodnow Hall. The cluster floor allows for continued sense of community and support that aids in the retention of our student body.
Appointing a faculty fellow to the cluster floor further enhances the sense of community and support for the students. The faculty fellow for 2011-12 is Donna Fullmer, Assistant Professor in Interior Architecture and Product Design.
Donna will meet with the students for dinner in Kramer Dinning Center every Monday during the fall semester and every other week in the spring semester. We encourage faculty and staff to join Donna and the students for dinner.
If you are interested please contact Susan Lannou, director of student recruitment at susan@k-state.edu, 785-532-1994, or stop by Seaton Hall room 212.
LAZY T ‘POET LARIAT’ RHYMES FOR APDESIGN
At last week’s faculty/staff welcome back party, Ron Wilson, “Poet Lariat” of the Lazy T Ranch, created a poem especially for APDesign.
Many folks weren’t able to make it, so we thought we would reprint the poem for your enjoyment:
Folks, it’s mighty good to have you at the Lazy T tonight.
We hope this picnic gets your semester started off just right.
To Dean Tim de Noble and your wonderful faculty and staff:
Please enjoy this time to eat and talk and laugh.
As a loyal K-Stater, I think it’s really cool
That you have a comprehensive, interdisciplinary, environmental design school.
Programs in architecture, interior architecture, and landscape architecture too,
Go with regional and community planning in the education that you do.
The architecture program began at K-State more than a century ago.
Through the years we’ve seen it become a college, diversify and grow.
Some of the best faculty anywhere, I’m proud to report,
Can be found at K-State around Seaton Hall and Seaton Court.
We’re proud that your college has gained such acclamation
That your programs are ranked among the best in the nation.
So we hope you enjoy this time to fellowship and dine,
With the faculty and staff of K-State’s College of Architecture, Planning & Design.
