Rural Studio

A DISCUSSION WITH Jason Coomes
FRIDAY, MARCH 23th, 2007 NEVADA MUSEUM OF ART

Jason Coomes, Visiting instructor at Auburn University’s School of Architecture, through slides and discussion, introduces Nevada to the remarkable Rural Studio Program which enables students to work with citizens of a community to design and build creative and affordable community projects.

Under the direction of School of Architecture’s Associate Professor Andrew Freear, the Rural Studio enables students to put their educational values to work as citizens of a community. The rural Studio seeks solutions to the needs of the community within the community’s own context, not from outside it. Abstract ideas based upon knowledge and study are transformed into workable solutions forged by real human contact, personal realization, and a gained appreciation for the culture. To most, the measure of success of the Rural Studio is in its built projects; in reality, its success is measured by its effect upon the lives of the faculty, sutudents, faimilies, and communities it touches. It is not only the buildings that make the Rural Studio what it is, but also the edcuation the students receive about architecture and about society. Ultimately, it is about “sharing the sweat” with the community.

This Black Rock Design Institute presentation is part of the OASIS 2007 CONFERENCE, sponsored by the Nevada Department of Cultural Affairs and Nevada Humanitites. Conference registrants may attend this presentation at no charge with OASIS badge.

www.ruralstudio.com

Doors open at 1:45pm and the lecture will begin at 1:45pm. Tickets are $8 per person and are available at the door, or may be purchased from the Nevada Museum of Art - 329.3333 or the BRDI - 328.1010 prior to the event. AIA Continuing Education Credits available.