s p a c e s p i r i t © 21st C family n. 1.a. A preeminent cultural medium through which each of us grows to under- stand that our individual life quality is impossible apart from the life quality of others; as well, the medium through which each of us grows to understand that our collective well-being is further enriched as we commit our-selves to ever-more challenging relationships of caring, sharing, and trusting . as through relations of spiritualship: a bond of ‘well-being’ gained from seeking harmony with one’s universal self — a commitment rooted in one’s spirituality and one’s relations with the universe ( Self / Universe ) . as in relations of personalship: a bond of ‘well-being’ gained from seeking harmony with one’s individual self — a commitment rooted in the concept of self-hood and one’s relations with self ( Self / Self ) . as in relations of kinship: a bond of ‘well-being’ gained from exercising one’s individual capacity to care, share, and trust within a human network of kin — a commitment rooted in the idea of ‘kin family’ and one’s relations with other kin ( Self / Kin ); as in relations of friendship: a bond of ‘well-being’ gained from exercising one’s individual capacity to care, share, and trust beyond one’s universal/individual self and one’s ties of kin(ship), across a broadened human network of friends [ Self / university of michigan taubman college of architecture +urbanplanning architecture of taubmancollege michigan of university Friend(s) ] . as in relations of citizenship: a bond of ‘well-being’ gained from exercising one’s individual capacity to care, share, and trust beyond one’s universal/individual self and one’s ties of kin(ship) and friend(ship) into an arena of self-governing citizens — a commitment rooted in the idea of individual citizens working collaboratively to achieve a bond of “public family [ Self / fellow Citizen(s) ] . as in relations of stewardship: a bond of ‘well-being’ gained from exercising one’s individual capacity to care, share, and trust beyond one’s universal/individual self and one’s ties of kin(ship), friend(ship), and citizen(ship) into an arena of planetary stewards — a commitment rooted in the idea of “human family” and a conscious quest for global harmony [ Self / fellow Steward(s) ]. comm(unity): 1.a. Not a physical place — i.e., not the community, not a community, not my community; not even so much a physical aggregate of people sharing similar values and/or interests; rather, a greater unity of energy gained when human beings make a common commitment to care, to share, and to be mutually trustworthy. b. An otherwise un-tapped reservoir of energy (perpetually) waiting to be ‘tapped’ and ‘mobilized’ through human acts of c o l l a b o r a t i o n. Lest we forget, we do not create (community; winter 2008 winter rather, we open ourselves up to this unique bonding energy by committing to ever widening thresholds of “family” relationships: ever-widening commitments of caring • sharing • trusting; “c o m m u n i t y,” in a very real sense, continually (re)makes us. portico J. Chaffers 1 letter from the dean — 3 letter to the editor — 4 distinguished alumnus — 12 faculty retirement profile — 15 college update — 18 faculty update/feature — 25 student update — 27 honor roll — 41 class notes — 53 calendar s p a c e s p i r i t © 21st C (Pocket) Guide Addressing the whole of Third Millennium design/planning challenges calls for an unparalleled exercise of personal and professional leadership. To this end, I offer the following definition: [leadership n. Our human capacity for caring in ways that serve to inspire ourselves and others; an inherent and active capacity which each of us must choose to exercise (in our own unique way) if we are to make our visions, real.] L e a d e r s h i p: An inherent capacity exercised with the understanding that “caring,” alone, is not enough; specifically, the act of putting one’s “caring into action”— caring enough to act . (as) (as) (as) Personal Professional Global Guide Advocate Visionary paying paying paying attention attention attention to to to linkages relationships bonds of of of self service ecology and and and “spirituality” “opportunity” “communality” self /universe self /others self / nature the the the Spiritual Intellectual Existential (personal) (practical) (planetary) in lifelong pursuit of c o m m o n g o o d J. Chaffers Oct ‘08 This “graphic statement” and the one on the cover are from James Chaffers’ Space Spirit project, a work in progress that Professor Chaffers envisions as a pocket glossary-dictionary for use by a broad range of practitioners engaged in critical inquiry and creative practice. 1 letter from the dean I am very excited and honored to be here at the University of Michigan Taubman College of Architecture + Urban Planning. Architecture and urban planning are at a critical point in their history. Environmental issues are bringing into question old modes of thinking and exposing the limits of how these fields were conceived. It is clear that our patterns of consumption have led to a disastrous impact on the globe. Buildings and their proliferation in the landscape have played a critical role in the creation of the problem, and we must take responsibility if a true solution is to be achieved. We must dramatically change the way that buildings are designed and constructed, and we must substantially reassess current patterns of land settlement if the globe is to survive its current crisis and endure for future generations. At the same time, I believe that technological advances are dramatically influencing architecture and urban planning and as a result the fields are Monica Ponce de Leon addresses students, faculty, staff, poised to undergo dramatic changes over the next decade. Digitization and alumni in the Art & Architecture courtyard during the annual kick-off picnic. continues to transform the way we imagine space, transfer information, and construct our material reality. Technology is transforming the building photo credit: Peter Smith industry and these changes will have an impact on the way buildings, sites and cities are conceived. Much like the digital revolution of the 80s affected the way that we drew buildings and sites, digital technology is rapidly changing the way that buildings are fabricated and assembled. Thus, at this point I think it is essential that we consider the cultural impact and relevance of our fields. We need to re-examine, how do architecture and urban planning affect the world and can we do better? I came to Ann Arbor because I found at Taubman College the right ingredients to address these issues. The diversity of the faculty, its breadth of knowledge, and expertise are fundamental to facing the challenges that lie ahead. In addition, the university as a whole has a long history of commitment to research and interdisciplinarity, two traditions that I believe will be the key to address the transformations in our fields. Those of you who know my design work know that I am not interested in a signature style, or a single mode of thinking. I am interested in the pursuit of excellence, and in creating things that matter. I believe that diversity and multiple voices are the means to get there. I know of no other college of architecture and urban planning where distinct modes of thinking have not only coexisted, but thrived throughout its history. For example, at the inception of the Architecture Program Le Baron Jenney incorporated a variation on the Beaux Arts teaching model; while shortly thereafter Emil Lorch incorporated the abstract compositional rules of “pure design” into the core curriculum well ahead of the Bauhaus. It is interesting that it was Emil Lorch himself who brought to Michigan Eliel Saarinen and his commitment to detailing and craftsmanship. In the mid-century, the college was home to the classic modernism of Robert Metcalf and the structural complexities of Gunnar Birkerts. So it is not surprising that the Architecture Program counts among its alumni such diverse practitioners as Chuck Bassett and Charles Correa, and that the Urban and Regional Planning Program has amid its 1 graduates such diverse figures as Marcy Kaptur and Jorge Pérez. It is this proven track record in academic diversity that will ensure we continue to advance in our fields. The best deans I have worked with were those who understood the culture of the school and used it as the basis for forging academic programs that kept pace with changing times. The best deans were those who recognized the strength of their faculty and nurtured that strength. I am looking forward to getting to know the college and will need the help of faculty, students, staff, and alumni to gain a meaningful understanding of Taubman College. I am interested in building on the strengths of the college as a means of taking it to its next chapter. I have asked the faculty to participate in a series of brainstorming sessions to look at the history of academic components, how other schools are currently approaching them, and how each impacts its field. Together we are beginning to formulate answers to the question, “can we do better?” Most of the topics for these brainstorming sessions have come out of one-on-one meetings with the faculty and out of conversations with the chairs prior to the beginning of the term. My intention has been to have substantial discussions as to what is it that we all do and why, and where are we are going from here.