Statement on Research

My research is a tapestry woven from three interconnected strands—educational pedagogy, critical practice, and service-learning—united by the thread of collaboration. As a designer and professor of design and architecture with 27 years of experience, I believe that collaboration is the heartbeat of innovation, fostering understanding and communication that spark unique ideas and transformative designs.

In educational pedagogy, I explore how collaborative teaching methods inspire creativity in students. By nurturing dialogue and shared inquiry, I empower future designers to see the world through curious, critical lenses. In critical practice, my research challenges conventional design norms, pushing boundaries to create spaces and objects that resonate with cultural and contextual narratives. Service learning ties these efforts to community impact, where collaborative projects—rooted in real-world needs—yield designs that serve and uplift.

At the core of my work is a calling to create beauty, whether in buildings that harmonize with their landscapes, interiors that tell stories, objects like sculptures that provoke wonder, or people empowered through mentorship and collaboration. Each project is shaped by the client’s vision and the context’s spirit, ensuring that beauty is not just seen but felt. My research and practice celebrate the power of connection to craft a more beautiful world.