CAPLA, Jones Studio launch Grand Challenges Lecture Series

The College of Architecture, Planning, and Landscape Architecture (CAPLA) at the University of Arizona is proud to announce the launch of the Grand Challenges Lecture Series, a new initiative from the School of Architecture. 

Sponsored by Jones Studio, the Grand Challenges Lecture Series aims to engage students, faculty, and the broader professional community with thought leaders across disciplines who are actively shaping the future of architecture and society. This series will confront some of the most pressing social and environmental challenges facing our communities and the built environment today.

“We want to inspire optimism and curiosity in students by connecting them with remarkable individuals who bring unique passions and perspectives to their work,” says Brian Farling, AIA, principal at Jones Studio. “By sparking dialogue, encouraging research, and advancing design thinking, we hope to begin answering the question, ‘How can we change the world?’”

Oscar Lopez, Assoc. AIA, a senior lecturer in the School of Architecture, has been chair of the CAPLA School of Architecture Lecture Series for the past three years. 

“Partnering with Jones Studio came naturally as they consistently address greater issues as part of their work and culture, it’s in their DNA,” Lopez said. “Whether it’s issues that address the border, water, or community, Jones Studio does not shy away from taking a critical stance.”

Ryan Smith, director of the School of Architecture, said students, faculty, staff, and the professional community are invited to attend the lectures and gain “insight into the role of architects, allied disciplines, and architectural research aimed at addressing grand challenges.”

Through the Grand Challenges Lecture Series, CAPLA will host a wide array of voices: architects, engineers, landscape architects, scientists, and even writers and artists whose work addresses issues of sustainability, social justice, urban design, and environmental stewardship. 

The series kicks off on Thursday, November 14 with the inaugural lecture by Ronald Rael, as he speaks to his groundbreaking initiative, “Mud y Robots,” a project that merges the ancient art of earthen building with the latest in additive manufacturing technology to create sustainable housing solutions with the potential to transform our planet. 

Rael, a renowned architect and professor at the University of California, Berkeley, is widely recognized for his work at the intersection of design and social justice. 

“I have seen firsthand how thirsty our students are for addressing critical issues,” he said. “They are coming to terms with their voice, their agency, their place in the world, and are ready to make an impact.”

Each guest speaker would be chosen for their unique perspective and ability to think at the broad, systemic level necessary for addressing global-scale challenges.

This lecture series distinguishes itself from CAPLA’s existing lecture offerings by focusing on solutions to large-scale architectural challenges. While the College’s other lectures often concentrate on regional or national issues, the Grand Challenges series calls for interdisciplinary and global perspectives to equip students with a comprehensive view of the world's pressing issues. 

A Vision for Positive Impact

At its heart, the Grand Challenges Lecture Series seeks to advance critical discussion and inspire impactful change. 

“We hope this series will help elevate critical discussions, research, and design thinking that may ultimately change the world,” said Eddie Jones, FAIA, founder and principal. “Through thoughtful lectures and meaningful exchanges, the series aims to spark optimism and curiosity in future architects, equipping them to approach grand challenges with the ingenuity and passion needed to drive positive change in the architecture profession.

“We cannot be more excited to take this on and to do so with Brian Farling, Eddie Jones, and the Jones Studio family,” Lopez said. “The future is bright.”