People | Places | Themes
THE CENTER FOR DESIGN RESEARCH
School of Architecture
Virginia Tech
Within the Virginia Tech College of Architecture, Art, and Design's School of Architecture, the Center for Design Research (CDR) establishes the place and occasion for disciplinary collaboration, the simultaneity of teaching and research, the inculcation of research at the undergraduate and graduate levels, and the merging of design, technology, economy, and society.
In local, regional, national, and international venues, the CDR provides a forum for the development and realization of opportunities for design research thus enhancing the experiential learning of both students and faculty. The integration of teaching, research, and outreach enables students and faculty to have sustained impact across communities, disciplines, borders and scales, both within and beyond the boundaries of the university.
Impact & Inclusion
Creating tools and processes that catalyze positive outcomes. Projects include Mzuzu Library, Democratizing Design Robotics, and emerging partnerships in Liberia, Tanzania, and Bhutan.
Digital Production & Convergence
Exploring integrated computational design workflows, digital material systems, and Design Robotics
Experiential Learning
Providing immersive student engagement through the FutureHAUS design/build program and immersive programs in Sub-Saharan Africa (CDR OpenLab-Africa), Boston (CDR/Payette OpenLab-Boston), and beyond.
Nathan King, DDes
Director
Clive Vorster
CDR Fellow
Lead, Rappahannock Riiver Project
Shelley Martin
Associate Director, CDR/Payette OpenLab -Boston
Bobby Vance
CDR Fellow
Associate Director, FutureHAUS initaitive
Dr. Ramtin Haghnazar
Associate Faculty
Giorgia Cannici
Associate Faculty
Yasaman Ashjazadeh
Graduate Research Associate
Design Robotics Lab. Manager
Robert Dunay, FAIA
CDR Fellow
Director Emeritus
Joe Whleeler
CDR Fellow
Co Director Emeritus
Dr. Chris Williams
CDR Collaborating Faculty
L.S. Randolph Professor of Mechanical Engineering
Dr. Andrew McCoy
CDR Collaborating Faculty
Director, Virginia Center for Housing Research
Dr. Alex Brandt
CDR Collaborating Faculty
Assistant Professor, Civil and Environmental Engineering