Planning, Design + Construction Ph.D. student Salma Akter Surma and Interior Design faculty Dr. Suchismita Bhattacharjee were recently awarded funding as a part of Gibb’s College of Architecture’s Program for Research Enhancement. This merit-based program grants Gibb’s faculty members funds to increase their research and creative activities.
Akter and Bhattacharjee received this grant to pursue research on refugee children’s well-being in a public library context. The research will broadly explore how libraries can improve their facilities by offering human and socio-economic resources that encourage acculturation and thinking beyond the book.
Public libraries are a primary source of human capital, knowledge-sharing programs, and many other important resources that are vital for literacy enhancement. However, most of these resources are not catered to the needs of refugees and immigrant groups, resulting in socio-economic isolation. According to Akter and Bhattacharjee, public libraries need to scale up their services to meet the growing needs of these minority groups.
Akter and Bhattacharjee will investigate current library environments and their impact on children’s spatial, physical, cultural, and skill development. The goal of this research is to develop a design framework that focuses on safe play and culture-respective learning spaces that encourage, empower and advance refugee children’s learning habits and enthusiasm.
Gibbs College is pleased to present the exhibition 200 Digital Drawings by Professor Tiziana Proietti, currently on display in the Gould Hall Living Room.
Gibbs College of Architecture Professors Amber Brown and Amy Leveno led 29 students to Dallas, Texas, in September for a learning experience as part of their Design 7 Studio course.
Christopher C. Gibbs College of Architecture professor and Institute for Quality Communities Director Dr. Amber N. Wiley’s book, Model Schools in the Model City: Race, Planning, and Education in the Nation’s Capital, has received two major honors from the Urban History Association.
