I thank you for your interest in the Department of Architecture, Portland State University, an institution fully integrated with the exemplary setting of downtown Portland, Oregon. It's a very exciting time in the development of the Department for several reasons:

• I am pleased to announce the addition of a 2-year Master of Architecture degree to our firmly established and successful undergraduate major. The National Architectural Accrediting Board has granted Candidacy status to our program and our first graduate class has now entered.  We are now inviting graduate applications to commence study in Fall term 2010.
• The department has just moved back into fully-remodeled Shattuck Hall, a beautiful 1915 red brick elementary school, transformed into a dynamic, contemporary architecture school environment, in the heart of PSU's campus. Facilities include open plan, naturally-lit studios, a roof-top gallery, new digital lab and an extensive materials lab encompassing model-making, woodworking, metalworking, and casting shop. Digital milling facilities will be added later this year to create a unique setting for multiple media explorations.
• PSU has recently been awarded a $25 million grant from the Miller Foundation to promote sustainability research and support the formation of the cross-disciplinary Center for Sustainable Processes and Practices. This year the Department hired the first Research Fellow of the new Center to involve our students directly in cutting edge green building research.
  

We celebrate the study of architecture in a very special setting - Downtown Portland - recognized internationally as a highly innovative center of creativity, renowned nationally as a locus of sustainable practices, as well as being one of the most livable urban environments in North America. Three priorities shape the direction and content of our teaching and research:

• Materiality and the capacity of artifacts to communicate cultural meaning
  
• Urbanism and the issues, dilemmas and pleasures of city dwelling
  
• Community engagement and the application of creative and professional practices toward the common good
  

I invite you to explore our website and learn more about our school and programs. If you have questions please feel free to contact us.

Clive R. Knights
Professor and Chair of Department

Contact Us:
architecture@pdx.edu