Leading Women in Architecture Society: Pele Kruse ‘26 B.Arch
Pele Kruse, Class of 2026, is earning her Bachelor of Architecture as the first Samoan student in the program. Passionate about sustainable, community-focused design, she’s dedicated to uplifting underrepresented communities through architecture. As president of the Women in Architecture Society and a standout in studio projects, Pele is preparing to return home and help shape the future of architecture in American Samoa.
Clare Robinson and Kelly Eitzen Smith honored with 2025 Darryl B. Dobras Awards
Clare Robinson and Kelly Eitzen Smith are the 2025 recipients of the Darryl B. Dobras Awards for Excellence. Robinson was recognized for her leadership in the School of Architecture, while Eitzen Smith was honored for her work supporting accreditation and assessment in the School of Landscape Architecture and Planning.
CAPLA Design Ideas Competition winners announced
The winners of CAPLA's Design Ideas Competition, aimed at re-envisioning the Student and Alumni Center, were revealed during the college's Homecoming celebration. Taking first place was the submission "ReFraming Assembly," designed by Montse Bover, Yusef Sakr, and Greg Veitch.
The Architecture of Wellbeing
The Andrew Weil Center for Integrative Medicine blends indoor and outdoor spaces, promoting wellness through natural light, biophilic design, and holistic health principles. It includes Mind, Body, and Spirit buildings fostering collaboration, relaxation, and healing.
Engaging Communities: CAPLA Students Showcase Native Plants on Park(ing) Day
CAPLA’s student chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) transformed a parking space into a vibrant, sustainable green space for Tucson’s Park(ing) Day, highlighting the beauty of native Southwest plants.
Demystifying Creativity: Lecture by Luis Ibarra, Ibarra Rosano Design Architects
Luis Ibarra is the Design Principal and Co-founder of Ibarra Rosano Design Architects, founded in 1999. The firm has earned numerous national and international awards for its sensitive approach to designing in the Sonoran Desert, emphasizing responsive and responsible design ethics.
In the News: CAPLA Associate Professor Jonathan Bean
CAPLA Assistance Professor Jonathan Bean emphasized the need for energy-efficient AI systems in a September "InformationWeek" article. He cautioned that unchecked AI growth could jeopardize sustainability efforts, urging a balance between technological progress and environmental responsibility.
CAPLA students collaborate with Iskashitaa Refugee Network on experiential learning garden
Last spring, CAPLA Sustainable Built Environments Lecturer Nataliya Apanovich partnered with Iskashitaa Refugee Network to create a study concerning issues among University of Arizona students and United Nation (UN) Refugees.
Planning program kicks off 60th anniversary celebration at State Planning Conference
More than 500 planners from across Arizona gathered in Tucson for the 2024 American Planning Association (APA) Arizona State Planning Conference, participating in workshops on topics ranging from emerging trends and housing challenges to affordability and parking policy.
MLA students honored with American Society of Landscape Architects award in research category
Master of Landscape Architecture students Annalise Hummel, Christian Aguilar Murrieta and Cordell Lee were honored for highlighting the need for smart watering solutions to support tree planting as a cost-effective way to mitigate urban heat.
Study highlights challenges in bicycle planning in Tucson
A new study on cycle planning in Tucson, Arizona, reveals the complexities planners face in moving projects from initial planning to construction and evaluation.