Big small towns
In Rebuilding the American Town, the Sam Fox School’s Patty Heyda helps redefine our understanding of the smaller cities that make up the urban landscape.
WashU architecture in Venice
Six projects created by Sam Fox School faculty, students and alumni are featured in the 2025 Venice Architecture Biennale and associated exhibitions.
Ahrens named chair of graduate architecture
Associate Professor Chandler Ahrens has been named chair of graduate architecture in the Sam Fox School of Design & Visual Arts at Washington University in St. Louis. The new role took effect July 1.
Sam Fox School, AIA St. Louis announce Steedman Fellowship theme
The Sam Fox School of Design & Visual Arts has announced the theme for its 2026 James Harrison Steedman Fellowship in Architecture. The competition, which will mark the Steedman’s 100th anniversary, invites early-career architects from around the world to investigate and reimagine the fundamental systems, facilities and services that underlie contemporary life.
Sam Fox School presents Awards for Distinction
Philanthropists Nancy Kranzberg and Ken Kranzberg received the 2025 Dean’s Medal from the Sam Fox School of Design & Visual Arts April 10 as part of the school’s annual Awards for Distinction ceremony. Also recognized during the ceremony were six outstanding alumni in art, architecture and design.
Colangelo to conclude Sam Fox School deanship in 2026
Carmon Colangelo, the Ralph J. Nagel Dean of the Sam Fox School of Design & Visual Arts at Washington University in St. Louis, will conclude his deanship effective June 30, 2026. Colangelo will continue to serve as WashU’s E. Desmond Lee Professor for Collaboration in the Arts. He will return to teaching, after a yearlong sabbatical, in fall 2027.
Sam Fox School spring Public Lecture Series begins Jan. 24
Illustrator Carson Ellis, sculptor Beatriz Cortez and architect Rahul Mehrotra are among the internationally renowned creative professionals who will discuss their work for the Sam Fox School of Design & Visual Arts spring Public Lecture Series.
Rebuilding the American Town
Design and Strategy at Small Scale
In the scholarship of urbanism, small towns are overlooked and understudied. “Rebuilding the American Town” highlights how smaller municipalities are transforming to serve their communities and meet the future.
Ahrens, Vale, Van Dyck Murphy named Exhibit Columbus research fellows
Three faculty members from WashU’s Sam Fox School of Design & Visual Arts — Chandler Ahrens, Constance Vale and Kelley Van Dyck Murphy — have been named University Design Research Fellows for the 2024-25 cycle of Exhibit Columbus.
The Engaged City initiative to launch
This fall, WashU will launch The Engaged City. Building on the long-running Divided City initiative, and funded in part by a $500,000 grant from the Mellon Foundation, The Engaged City aims to highlight St. Louis’ cultural resources.
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