Tulane School of Architecture expands faculty to enhance academic programs, bringing fresh expertise and innovation to elevate student learning experiences.

BY KAZEEM ADELEKE, ARTCENTRON

NEW ORLEANS, LA —The Tulane School of Architecture (TuSA) is once again bolstering its faculty. They are adding an impressive number of new tenure-track and professor-of-practice positions. All these new faculty members are experts in architecture, design, historic preservation, and real estate development. This strategic expansion is part of the school’s ongoing efforts to enhance its academic offerings and meet the growing demands of its diverse student body. The new cohort brings fresh perspectives and a wealth of professional experience, further enriching the educational environment at Tulane.

The recent faculty expansion follows an earlier wave of new hires in 2023. This expansion marks a continued commitment by TuSA to build a world-class educational institution. More importantly, it emphasizes a strong foundation in the built environment. According to Dean Iñaki Alday, diversity in thought and experience is critical for excellence in teaching and research, which directly benefits the student community.

This significant increase in faculty responds to the growth in student enrollment over the past four years. Additionally, it enhances the expansion of academic programs offered at Tulane School of Architecture. As a result, TuSA now features faculty members who specialize in sustainable design, architectural preservation, and urban resilience. Furthermore, some professors specialize in climate change adaptation, among other vital disciplines.

Leadership in Historic Preservation and Real Estate Development

The newest faculty additions include two prominent directors tasked with leading Tulane’s Historic Preservation and Real Estate Development Programs. These academic leaders will guide the future of their respective programs. They will offer fresh insights into the evolving challenges facing their fields.

Eisa Esfanjary Kenari, PhD, joins the faculty as the Christovitch Associate Professor in Preservation and the new Director of the Historic Preservation Program. He has 15 years of teaching experience and a specialization in architectural conservation and urban heritage. Esfanjary aims to broaden the program’s scope, incorporating a more global perspective. His previous work includes serving as Principal Investigator on the Management Plan for Meidan Imam Square in Isfahan, Iran. This role showcases his ability to handle complex preservation challenges with a balance of historical sensitivity and
innovation.

On the Real Estate Development front, John L. Renne, PhD, AICP, will take over as Director of the Real Estate Development Program and serve as the Henry Shane Professor in Real Estate. Renne’s leadership comes with a vision for integrating climate resilience, urban planning, and artificial intelligence (AI) into the curriculum. His research focuses on the use of virtual reality (VR) in urban planning to enhance community engagement and resilience. This marks an innovative approach to real estate development. It will position Tulane’s program as a leader in addressing contemporary global challenges.

New Faculty Bring Expertise and Innovation

This wave of faculty appointments brings leading voices in a range of disciplines. They offer unique perspectives that reflect the diverse and complex challenges in the built environment. Below are a few highlights from this talented group of professionals.

Mostafa Akbari, PhD, joins Tulane as an Assistant Professor of Architecture, specializing in computational design and advanced manufacturing. With a focus on nature-inspired design and autonomous manufacturing, Akbari will lead the newly established Cellular Architectures Lab. His research and teaching focus on how computational tools can enhance sustainability and efficiency in architectural practices. This is a crucial area of innovation. Cities worldwide are striving to reduce their environmental impact.

Faculty Expansion at Tulane School of Architecture

Andrea Bardón de Tena, another new Assistant Professor of Architecture, brings a multidisciplinary approach to architectural education. Her teaching philosophy emphasizes mastering different scales, from structural systems to detailed design elements. She has a strong interest in the adaptive reuse of structures. This is a critical consideration for sustainable design. Bardón de Tena is excited to integrate her research with Tulane’s ongoing work in addressing contemporary global architectural challenges.

Patti Dunn, joining as a Professor of Practice in Design, is a well-known advocate for sustainability and social justice within the design world. Her work in textile design and industrial design reflects her commitment to engaging communities through sustainable practices. Dunn’s involvement with Tulane’s Small Center and URBANbuild programs will provide students with hands-on opportunities to develop design solutions that address local and global societal issues.

Aarthi Janakiraman, PhD, an Assistant Professor of Preservation and Urbanism, brings a fresh perspective on heritage conservation and the spatial politics of urban environments. Her research examines the postcolonial impact on preserving colonial-era world heritage sites, particularly in relation to socio-spatial equity. Tulane’s interdisciplinary approach to education excites Janakiraman, who aims to help students critically engage with the socio-political dimensions of urban planning in culturally rich contexts like New Orleans.

Juan Medina Revilla, a seasoned Professor of Practice in Architecture, has returned to Tulane to contribute to the ongoing evolution of its architectural community. With international experience and a diverse portfolio, Medina Revilla focuses on architectural retrofitting and adaptive reuse in historic settings. His teaching approach emphasizes critical thinking and equips students with the skills to make meaningful impact in the field.

Expanding Thought Leadership in Design and Urbanism

The new faculty appointments also include experts in climate change, urbanism, and design, further establishing Tulane as a hub for innovative research and applied learning.

Catherine Sckerl, AIA, AICP, now serves as the Managing Director of TuSA’s new Center on Climate Change and Urbanism. With a background in architecture and urban studies, Sckerl’s work focuses on sustainable urbanism and the challenges of rapid urbanization and gentrification in cities like Oaxaca de Juárez. Her commitment to building community partnerships aligns perfectly with Tulane’s mission of addressing urban resilience through interdisciplinary collaboration.

Nick Perrin, another Professor of Practice in Design, focuses on circular design and the relationship between design and its environmental context. Perrin aims to inspire students by exploring fabrication technologies and introducing innovative courses. He encourages them to develop design solutions that are both serviceable and poetic, offering practical answers to the complexities of the built environment.

Emilie Taylor Welty, promoted to Associate Professor of Architecture, continues her leadership role at the Albert and Tina Small Center for Collaborative Design. Her work emphasizes design-build education, a hallmark of Tulane’s architecture program, offering students hands-on experience that directly benefits local communities. Welty is currently working on a book that will highlight the school’s successful Small Center and URBANbuild programs, underscoring the value of community-driven design.

Architecture Education at Tulane Looks to the Future

The addition of these new faculty members represents a significant milestone in the continued growth and development of the Tulane School of Architecture. This cohort brings expertise in diverse fields such as computational design, historic preservation, climate resilience, and social justice. Their knowledge will be instrumental in shaping Tulane’s academic programs. They will play a key role in the university’s future development. Tulane places a strong emphasis on hands-on learning, interdisciplinary research, and global perspectives. This approach ensures that students gain practical skills and broad knowledge. As a result, they will be well-equipped to tackle the complex challenges of the built environment in the 21st century.