Barbara is a licensed architect. She holds a BA in Architecture from the University of Pennsylvania and an M.Arch. from the University of Washington, where she was awarded the Alpha Rho Chi medal. Barbara worked for several years in architectural offices in Seattle and Portland before joining Portland State University as the sole full-time faculty member in architecture. Her architectural work consisted primarily of multi-family housing projects, including a 250-acre planned unit development and commercial and industrial projects.
Barbara served as the Associate Vice Provost for Sponsored Research and completed eight years as Dean of the College of the Arts, where she oversaw two major building renovations, a new building addition, the creation and development of an accredited Master of Architecture program, and a film major. She has over 30 years of Portland State experience, including teaching, research, and administration. Her teaching encompasses design studios, structures, building technology, environmental design, designing for wellness, and leadership.
Barbara’s research centers around two areas: the integration of the profession and the academy and designing for wellness. She directs the Integrated Path toward Architectural Licensure Program (IPAL) at PSU and is the School’s Architect Licensing Advisor. She has a range of service to the profession, including being the first woman president of AIA/Portland, 12 years on the Oregon Board of Architect Examiners, 16 years on a variety of National Council of Architectural Registration Board’s committees, and completed 15 National Architectural Accrediting Board accreditation visits including three international visits. She served for four years on the NAAB Board and was the 2019-20 President, where she led the processes for creating and publishing the 2020 NAAB Conditions and Procedures for Accreditation, a major revision of the rules for accredited architecture programs. She is currently a public member of the American Bar Association Section Board. She leads PSU’s participation in the AIA/ACSA Design and Health Research Consortium and has several publications and presentations on designing for wellness.
The value of Barbara’s work was nationally recognized by her elevation to FAIA in 2015. AIA Fellowship recognizes those architects who have made a significant contribution to architecture and society and who have achieved a standard of excellence in the profession. Less than 3% of architects across the US have received this distinction. In 2017 AIA NW&PR awarded Barbara the Gold Medal of Honor.
Schedule an advising appointment with Professor Sestak at https://psuarch.youcanbook.me.