Family Weekend—A-School Open House: A Visual Recap
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The University of Virginia School of Architecture is a close-knit community—“one big family,” as Dean Malo Hutson often says. Every day, students, faculty, and staff work together to support one another and make a difference in the world. None of this would be possible without the parents and families of A-School students, whose care and encouragement help bring them to this stage in their education.
In that spirit of gratitude and celebration, more than 60 parents and family members gathered at Campbell Hall last week for an open house kicking off UVA’s 2025 Family Weekend. The morning began with an art activity led by artist and Professor of Architecture Sanda Iliescu, inspired by the changing seasons and Charlottesville’s vibrant autumn colors. Drawing from her own series of leaf paintings created as a Center for Forest Urbanism Fellow, Iliescu guided guests in a meditative process of painting and pressing fallen leaves from the great white oak outside Campbell Hall to reveal their delicate geometries.
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Nearby, Andrew Spears, technician in the Fabrication Lab and coordinator of UVA Sawmilling, demonstrated printmaking using wooden “cookies”—cross-sections of trees from a variety of species like dogwood, ash, yellow pine, and osage orange. Founded by A-School students, UVA Sawmilling is dedicated to the preservation and creative reuse of UVA’s fallen trees.
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After the art activities, families gathered in the auditorium to hear from A-School leaders. Professor and Chair of Architecture Jeana Ripple highlighted the school’s wide range of experiential learning opportunities, while Alan Watts (BSArch ’26), president of the School of Architecture’s Student Council, offered lighthearted advice to parents: not to worry if they don’t hear from their student during final reviews—“they’ll text you soon.”
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The program’s featured speaker, Zena Howard, FAIA, NOMA, LEED AP (BSArch ’88)—recipient of the 2025 Distinguished Alumni Award—shared insights from her celebrated career as Principal and Managing Director at Perkins&Will’s North Carolina office. Presenting landmark projects—completed and forthcoming—such as the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture (2016), the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum's Bezos Learning Center (projected opening, 2027), Detroit's Motown Museum campus expansion (projected opening, 2026), and the Vicksburg Civil War Visitor Center in Mississippi (projected opening, 2028), Howard reflected on how her A-School education instilled the understanding that architecture exists within communities and cultural contexts—a principle that continues to guide her practice.
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Families concluded the day with tours of Campbell Hall, lunch, and a career development presentation by Director of Career Development Lindsay Schiller. The event offered a glimpse into the School of Architecture’s collaborative and supportive culture—one that nurtures the next generation of innovative designers and thinkers committed to making the world a better place, starting with the community under Campbell Hall’s roof.
Many thanks to the students, faculty, and staff who facilitated the open house:
Students:
Noah Depeyrot (BArH + BSArch ’27)
Galib Grbic’ (BSArch ’28)
Matthew Kish (BSArch ’28)
Isabella Koch (BSArch ’26)
Leia Morrissey (BSArch ’26]
Ginny Nelson (BSArch ’27)
AJ Oliver (BSArch ’27)
Stuart Pollock (MArch ’26)
Isabela Rasmussen (MArch ’28)
Alan Watts (BSArch ’26)
Faculty & Staff:
Eric Calloway, Director of Admissions
Cally Bryant, Graphic Designer
Maya Laurinaitus Drake, Academic Advisor
Ashley Duffalo, Creative Director of Communications
Sanda Iliescu, Professor of Architecture
Trevor Kemp, Fabrication Facilities Assistant Manager
Cindy Kiefer, Associate Dean of Student Affairs
Sneha Patel, Executive Director of Communications
Jeana Ripple, Professor and Chair of Architecture
Kenny Roston, Facilities Manager
Saskia Santen, Office of the Dean, Executive Assistant
Lindsay Schiller, Director of Career Development
Andrew Spears, Fabrication Lab Technician and UVA Sawmilling Coordinator
Tashana Starks, Director of Advising + Academic Support
