Architecture and Planning - University at Buffalo

Architecture and Planning - University at Buffalo The only school of architecture & planning within the 64-campus State University of New York system.

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The University at Buffalo School of Architecture and Planning embraces the grand global cha

llenges of the day as openings for radical action toward more just, resilient, and enriching communities for all. Our deep-rooted traditions in hands-on, activist teaching and research situates our work in the communities around us and translates ideas into built works and realized plans. Embedded in the City of Buffalo, on the western edge of New York State, we engage the transitioning landscapes of our host city in globally relevant investigations in inclusive design, food systems planning, community-based economic development, climate resilient design and sustainable housing. Top-ranked for research among our peers in the Association of American Universities, we collaborate with community and industry partners and across the disciplines at UB, the most comprehensive public research university in the northeastern United States. The only school of architecture and planning in The State University of New York (SUNY), we offer bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees, including a nationally accredited MArch and MUP, SUNY’s only MS in real estate development and nine dual-degree programs.

“Hello, I’m Your New Tree,” reads the colorful tag soon to be hung on a Cherry tree sapling set for planting on Buffalo'...
06/18/2026

“Hello, I’m Your New Tree,” reads the colorful tag soon to be hung on a Cherry tree sapling set for planting on Buffalo's East Side. The friendly introduction – complete with caretaking instructions and a QR code to learn more about the tree and its benefits – will welcome the latest leafy resident to set its roots in one of the city’s most distressed communities as part of the Buffalo Street Trees initiative.

The City of Buffalo, the UB Regional Institute (UBRI), and its team of community-based planning specialists are setting out to inform Buffalo residents about the opportunities and benefits of bringing trees to their neighborhoods: from fresh air, to shade and cooling, to higher property values, to better mental health.

The campaign focuses on building participation in the city’s 311 “request-a-tree” service, which allows homeowners and renters to request a free tree for the front of their home. The city selects the proper tree species for the site, plants the tree, and provides basic maintenance, with residents pitching in to help water the tree during its fragile first few years.

Wema Kiboino, a graduate of the BA in Environmental Design program and current Master of Architecture student, supports the project’s outreach and website content, from street tree species profiles to best practices in tree care. She says on-the-ground engagement in the community is a direct application of her education. “My academic training in these fields emphasizes the value of participatory design as an approach that invites community members to play an active role in shaping their environment. The interactions we have with residents provide valuable insight into their perceptions, aspirations for their communities, and perspectives on this initiative, which then inform our approach. Ultimately, the Buffalo Street Trees project reinforces the role of community participation in successful urban and environmental initiatives.”

To learn more or get involved: https://archplan.buffalo.edu/news/2026/buffalo-street-trees.html

On the front lawn of the historic Medina High School stands artist James Beckett’s largest North American project to dat...
06/17/2026

On the front lawn of the historic Medina High School stands artist James Beckett’s largest North American project to date — a collaboration with the UB School of Architecture and Planning titled “A Good Wall.” It was conceived as part of the inaugural 2026 Medina Triennial, a site-responsive contemporary art exhibition that seeks to activate the landscapes and histories of Medina and the surrounding Western New York region.

Through ARC 404 “Digitizing and Designing Towards Spolia,” Assistant Professor Nicholas Bruscia and Adjunct Instructor Timothy Noble created a thoughtful, well-crafted installation for the Medina Triennial, while delivering a hands-on learning experience for students. James met with them virtually almost weekly, inspiring the students to think differently, stretching their comfort zones, and making sure their voices were heard. Students worked through every stage: building a foundation, drawing details for a permit set, collaborating with engineers, and ensuring the stability of a structure. Along the way, they navigated the realities of working within an evolving design process, adapting to uncertainty and change — the type of environment they will likely experience in professional practice.

Keep reading to learn more:https://archplan.buffalo.edu/news/2026/learning-by-building-a-good-wall.html


Photos: Douglas Levere, Nick Bruscia, Tim Noble

With access to advanced technology in our 11,000sf Fabrication Workshop, our Master of Architecture program curriculum e...
06/16/2026

With access to advanced technology in our 11,000sf Fabrication Workshop, our Master of Architecture program curriculum emphasizes creative thinking using tools for model making, woodworking, ceramics, casting, and digital fabrication.

Our fully accredited program puts students on the path towards becoming licensed architects, while maintaining flexibility:
🎨2-year program for students with a bachelor’s degree in architecture
📚3-year track for students from any undergraduate background

Students in our MArch program learn to design informed and innovative buildings and spaces — exploring possibilities that condition how we live, work, and play. Learn more and apply today: https://archplan.buffalo.edu/academics/graduate-degrees/march.html

Photos: Douglas Levere

Alireza Borhani (MArch '27) was awarded first place in the Porada International Design Award, Students Category, for his...
06/15/2026

Alireza Borhani (MArch '27) was awarded first place in the Porada International Design Award, Students Category, for his project "Phoenix," developed using the FORMAS.AI platform during the Next-Gen Architect graduate studio, led by Randy Fernando, adjunct instructor in the Department of Architecture.

"Phoenix" is a sculptural chaise lounge conceived at the intersection of architecture, furniture, and landscape. Inspired by ideas of continuity, regeneration, and flow, the project challenges conventional notions of seating by proposing an experiential relationship between body, form, and space.

"For me, furniture design is an extension of architecture rather than a separate discipline," says Alireza. “This experience strengthened my interest in the productive relationship between human creativity and computational intelligence in architectural design.”

Alireza was also recently honored with an honorable mention in the Student Category of the SIT Furniture Design Award for his project, "Lithoflux." He is currently an architectural intern at Kohn Pedersen Fox (KPF) in New York City.

Learn more about this project and Alireza’s experiences at UB:https://archplan.buffalo.edu/news/2026/porada-student-award.html

This year marked a full-circle moment for Ehler Htoo (END ’22, MUP ’25, MArch ’25), who returned to the University at Bu...
06/12/2026

This year marked a full-circle moment for Ehler Htoo (END ’22, MUP ’25, MArch ’25), who returned to the University at Buffalo — not as a student, but as the instructor of a course she had taken just a few years before. Now an adjunct professor at her alma mater, drawing on her expertise in both planning and design approaches, Ehler’s resulting work reflects the wholistic lens that she developed through her multidisciplinary education.

ARC 211: Diversity in Design examines the history and diversity of cultural experiences within the U.S. and their attendant design issues, concentrating on the ways in which our physical and media environments affect various populations — and, in turn, the ways these populations have affected our designed environments. Required for architecture students but open to all majors, it regularly draws more than 400 students from a wide variety of fields, from engineering and pharmaceutical sciences to nursing and music. Teaching such a large class online presented challenges, but Ehler embraced them — leading office hours, managing course logistics, and overseeing a team of 10 teaching assistants — and grew more confident from them.

Ehler currently holds a full-time position with the UB Regional Institute, working as an associate planner where she’s focused on the Buffalo Street Trees project. Funded by a grant administered by the U.S. Forest Services to the City of Buffalo, that initiative seeks to inform and engage residents of the opportunities and benefits of bringing trees to their neighborhoods, particularly in priority areas across the East Side, Riverside, and West Side.

“I love what I’m doing right now,” she shared with a smile. “I get to go out to events, talk to people, and contribute to a great cause — bringing trees to our neighborhoods. It’s a great initiative to be a part of.”

Keep reading more about Ehler’s journey:https://archplan.buffalo.edu/news/2026/ehler-htoo-alumni-spotlight.html


Commencement Photo: Jackson Zimmerman

Beloved by students and colleagues alike for the enthusiasm, empathy, and inclusiveness he brings to the classroom, Emma...
06/11/2026

Beloved by students and colleagues alike for the enthusiasm, empathy, and inclusiveness he brings to the classroom, Emmanuel Frimpong Boamah, chair and associate professor of urban and regional planning, has received the SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching.

One of the highest honors a SUNY faculty member can receive, the award is for those who consistently demonstrate superior teaching, rigorous methodologies, and a deep commitment to student success.

An internationally recognized researcher, policy analyst, and data scientist, Emmanuel investigates the planning processes and institutional structures that impede and “weaponize” planning interventions against historically marginalized communities. Since joining UB in 2017, his “flexible pedagogy across diverse formats, extensive mentoring, embodiment of high professional standards, and vibrant teacher-scholar profile have resulted in transformational learning for our students,” says Dean Julia Czerniak.

Keep reading to learn more about Emmanuel and his impact on our School and surrounding community: https://archplan.buffalo.edu/news/2026/emmanuel-frimpong-boamah-chancellorsaward.html



Photo: Douglas Levere

💡 Are you interested in real estate, site planning, public transit, and housing development?🎓 Are you a current graduate...
06/09/2026

💡 Are you interested in real estate, site planning, public transit, and housing development?

🎓 Are you a current graduate student looking to add another feather in your cap? Or a current working professional hoping to level-up in your career related to planning, finance, or project management?

🖥️ Our Affordable Housing online certificate program prepares students to develop and implement cost-effective, inclusive housing strategies that expand access to affordable housing and support long-term community well-being.

Learn more and apply: https://archplan.buffalo.edu/academics/graduate-degrees/advanced-certificates/graduate-certificate-in-affordable-housing.html

💰 Bonus: Application fees are waived if you apply by June 30th!

Gregory Delaney, clinical associate professor and Director of Experiential Learning, recently sat down with Archinect to...
06/08/2026

Gregory Delaney, clinical associate professor and Director of Experiential Learning, recently sat down with Archinect to discuss our School’s distinct focus on impact and action. Greg is one of many faculty members who has made the implementation of experiential learning projects a central part of our work, championing our School’s culture of opportunity.

“We try to offer a wide range of experiences to students where we physically leave our campus to engage with our neighbors in the places where they live and work — from community organizations to advanced manufacturing companies,” says Greg, “Whether through studio trips, study abroad, or research efforts that engage broader communities.”

Today, we have more studios collaborating with community organizations than at any time in our history. Thanks to Archinect for highlighting just a few:

- Ecological Practices Studio, “Hot Street Futures” - Kristine Stiphany
- Reimagining Kissing Bridge - Gregory Delaney
- Senior-Friendly Manufactured Housing Prototypes Studio, Rural Housing Coalition of NY - Nick Rajkovich
- Feeding Prosperity: Food System Strategies for Erie County, NY - Samina Raja
- A City of Parks and Trails: A Comprehensive Parks Plan for North Tonawanda - Ernie Sternberg
- The Beautiful Game: Gensler “Big Projects Studio” - Joyce Hwang
- Digitizing + Designing with Reclaimed Medina Sandstone (for The Medina Triennial) - Nicholas Bruscia and Tim Noble with James Beckett
- The Assembly House - Dennis Maher

Learn more about our approach to experiential learning: https://archinect.com/features/article/150542575/beyond-the-studio-university-at-buffalo-s-experiential-learning-approach


Photos: Douglas Levere, Gregory Delaney

Li Yin, an urban planner who applies the tools of technology and spatial modeling to understand the interplay of human a...
06/05/2026

Li Yin, an urban planner who applies the tools of technology and spatial modeling to understand the interplay of human activity and urban space, has been promoted to full professor in our Department of Urban and Regional Planning! The elevation to the highest academic rank possible recognizes sustained excellence and impact in research, teaching, and service at an international level.

Learn more:
https://archplan.buffalo.edu/news/2026/li-yin-full-professor.html

A graduate studio worked this spring to address an urgent and often overlooked challenge of housing in rural communities...
06/04/2026

A graduate studio worked this spring to address an urgent and often overlooked challenge of housing in rural communities — ensuring that it is affordable, durable, energy efficient, and accessible.

12 students worked in small teams, each tasked with tackling issues of energy efficiency, durability, climate resilience and universal design. The studio partnered with the Rural Housing Coalition of New York, which received a grant from AARP to help sponsor the studio, led by Nicholas Rajkovich, associate professor in the Department of Architecture.

The studio offers a model for how universities, housing advocates, public agencies and manufacturers can work together to improve housing. As New York confronts an aging population, rising housing costs and a changing climate, the studio’s work points toward a future in which manufactured homes are not treated as a compromise, but as a platform for safer, healthier and more resilient rural housing.

Learn more: https://archplan.buffalo.edu/news/2026/studio-to-improve-manufactured-housing.html


Photos: Nicholas Rajkovich

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