University of South Florida

School of Architecture & Community Design

USF College of Design, Art & Performance

Points of Pride

Our students and alumni at work:

SACD alumni and students, please share your point of pride with us!

 

Community engagement & research:

The Florida Center for Community Design and Research (FCCDR), the research, grant and contract arm of the School of Architecture & Community Design, continues to engage communities in research and service learning. Examples of ongoing and recent initiatives include:

  • West Tampa’s Centro Español Reimagined. Led by Assistant Professor Adriana Pablos Llona. The historic Centro Español building in West Tampa, initiated as a social club and mutual aid society for Spanish immigrants, has stood as a cornerstone of the community for over a century. Professor Adriana Pablos' spring 2024 Advanced Design Studio engaged with community members and explored the history of West Tampa and it’s Spanish heritage. In their designs, SACD students adaptively reused the historic Centro Español as a fine arts community center. Students Cayla Hollander, Kayla Lacivita, Daniel Mariani, Sofia Montilla, Adam Offer, Nicholas Otzko, Jeffrey Proud, Courtney Schichtel, Daniel Tang, and Sarah Verty – tackled the challenge of transforming the building into a true community asset, reflecting the rich heritage and evolving needs of West Tampa. The work was presented in April and exhibited through the summer at the Center for Architecture & Design, Tampa Bay.
  • New Life Village Design Collaboration. Led by Assistant Professor of Instruction Josué Robles Caraballo. New Life Village is a unique residential community designed to support families seeking permanency for children impacted by foster care and trauma. From 2022 to 2024, the collaboration has been engaged in Master Planning and Facility Development, supported by a $54,000 grant. In 2019 and 2020, the Design-Build Urban Activation Installation: Interactive Garden was completed at New Life Village funding of $238,000 and an additional $12,000 from the Gobioff Foundation. As part of the broader community-building effort, the team designed and built various social nodes, such as edible community gardens, water play areas, and activated pedestrian walkways, to encourage interaction and engagement among residents. Additionally, the project included the schematic design of a multipurpose building to serve as a flexible space for community activities.
  • City of Tampa Community Redevelopment Area (CRA) Plans. Led by Associate Professor Trent Green. Ongoing projects include working with the City of Tampa to update the Community Redevelopment Area plans for the Tampa Heights and Central Park neighborhoods. A Community Redevelopment Area, or CRA, is a designated district that’s revitalized through public and private investment. The Tampa Heights Riverfront CRA Plan, adopted in 1999, was updated in 2024.

 

Faculty and staff awards, recognitions, & activities: