AKI ISHIDA
ARCHITECT & EDUCATOR
NEWS
Article “Imprints of an Invisible Virus: How Airborne Diseases Change Cities” published in The Plan Journal
December 2020
Aki's article “Imprints of an Invisible Virus: How Airborne Diseases Change Cities” is published in The Plan Journal. Once a clinical cure for COVID-19 is found, which infection prevention practices – both social and spatial – might remain, and what long-term impacts will they leave? This article examines the interrelationships between airborne diseases, social practices, and the design of physical and digital infrastructures for cities.
2019 Fitzgibbon Charrette at the Washington University in St. Louis
March 22, 2019
Aki served as the moderator and jury chair for the 2019 Fitzgibbon Charrette, which took place March 22. Open to all juniors and seniors in architecture, the annual charrette celebrates architectural drawing through a one-day sketch problem where the students refine and further develop one of their studio drawings. The jury awarded the prize to senior Jenna Schnitzler.
Hokie Circles wins a student-initiated COVID-19 response competition
August 20, 2020
A team of students advised by Aki is one of five winners of the TECH Together campaign, which called upon the creativity and innovation of Virginia Tech students to implement real change that not only prevent the spread of COVID-19, but also provide comfort to students and faculty on campus. Joon Young Kang and Kirat Pandher initiated the project Graphic Redesign Graphics (now called Hokie Circles), which encourages social distancing through an immersive spatial experience - 6-foot spaced markings and directional indicators.
2020 Laskey Charrette at the Washington University in St. Louis
January 26, 2020
Aki served as the moderator for the 2020 Laskey Charrette at the Sam Fox School at the Washington University in St. Louis. For this year's challenge, students were asked to create light modulating concrete walls. The Laskey Charrette honors Professor Emeritus Leslie J. Laskey and his singular approach to design education.
Blurred Transparencies in Contemporary Glass Architecture published by Routledge
May 2020
Aki's book Blurred Transparencies in Contemporary Glass Architecture: Material, Culture, and Technology is published by Routledge. The book brings to light complex readings of transparent glass through close observations of six pivotal works of architecture. Written from the perspectives of a practitioner, the six essays challenge assumptions about fragility and visual transparency of glass. The foreword is written by glass artist and Aki's former employer James Carpenter.
Perspectives on Careers in Creativity and Innovation
April 26, 2019
Aki served on a panel entitled Perspectives on Careers in Creativity and Innovation at ICAT (Institute for Creativity, Arts and Technology) Creativity and Innovation Day at Virginia Tech. The panel, which included professors and students in STEAM fields, was moderated by Dr. Lisa McNair, director of the Center for Research on SEAD Education at Virginia Tech. The day showcased the university's latest innovations from Virginia Tech's Creativity Innovation District, a new community designed to foster creative process, from idea creation to commercialization.
ACSA New Faculty Teaching Award 2017
February 2017
Aki has been selected as a recipient of the Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture (ACSA) 2016-2017 New Faculty Teaching Award. She will receive the award at the 105th ACSA Annual Meeting, March 23-25, in Detroit. This national-level award recognizes demonstrated excellence in teaching performance during the first ten academic semesters of a full-time architectural teaching career.
Natural Light & Architecture panel at Parsons School of Design
October 26, 2016
Aki presented "Transparent Ambiguity: SANAA's Glass Pavilion in Toledo" and participated in the Natural Light & Architecture panel at Parsons School of Design. Other panelists were Davidson Norris from Carpenter Norris Consulting and Star Davis from Arup. The event was hosted by Glenn Shrum, Director of Parsons Lighting Design program and principal of Flux Studio.
DesignIntelligence 25 Most Admired Educators for 2016
November 15, 2015
DesignIntelligence named Aki one of the 25 Most Admired Educators for 2016. Each year, DesignIntelligence honors excellence in education and education administration by naming 25 exemplary professionals in these fields. The 2016 class of education role models was selected by DesignIntelligence staff with extensive input from thousands of design professionals, academic department heads, and students.
Making the Giraffe Path project wins a CORE77 award
July 16, 2014
Aki and her collaborator Lynnette Widder received a 2014 Core77 Design Award in the Strategy and Research category. The jury commented, "We have entered a new era of urban design where amenities like parks and public spaces are finally getting the professional attention they deserve. This project is a bold attempt to open up the design of an engaging trail way that would connect five Northern Manhattan urban parks in ways that could make them as collectively engaging as New York’s High Line or Chicago’s Millennium Park."
Lantern Field wins 2013 AL Design Award
August 2013
Lantern Field, an interactive light and sound art installation by Aki and her team from Virginia Tech's Institute for Creativity, Arts and Technology, received an award from the Architectural Lighting magazine. The award, a Special Citation for Community Engagement with Light, was one of a dozen international winners.