Announcing the Urban Design-Build Partnership
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A new partnership has been formed between Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute’s School of Architecture (SoA), Troy Architecture Practice (TAP, Inc.), Habitat for Humanity Capital District, Troy Community Land Bank, and architecture+. The project is called Urban Studio, which is comprised of two new Rensselaer Architecture studio courses, incorporating approaches to both new construction and renovation of existing buildings.
This partnership was initiated by Brian Barker, AIA, who is a principal at architecture+, and serves as the president of the board for Habitat for Humanity Capital District, as well as secretary on Troy Community Land Bank’s board of directors. From his perspective, “This unique partnership seeks to harness the strengths and mission of four stakeholder institutions within the City of Troy to form an innovative design research and community development partnership for the Troy community. There are several notable precedents for the success of such programs including Auburn University’s Rural Studio, Yale University’s Jim Vlock Building Project, Virginia Tech’s design/build LAB, as well as others across the United States and Europe. I am thrilled at the prospect of working together with the wonderfully talented and devoted team from RPI’s SoA, TAP, Habitat for Humanity, and the Troy Community Land Bank for the revitalization of the North Central Troy neighborhoods. As an architect and local resident of the neighborhood, it’s a dream come true.”