RIT Names Program Chair for its Architecture Program

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Dennis A. Andrejko

Dennis Andrejko, a longtime professor of architecture at the University at Buffalo who is known for his efforts to promote sustainability in architecture, has been appointed program chair of Rochester Institute of Technology’s architecture program. Andrejko begins his new role July 1.

RIT’s master’s curriculum focuses on the areas of sustainability, urbanism and integrated practice such as energy efficiency. The university launches a Master of Architecture this fall.

“I’m honored to be selected to take a lead role at RIT in this ambitious undertaking—a relevant and important undertaking—because the future for us as humans is to live, work and play in a way that is more sustainable and harmonious with the environment,” says Andrejko. “As designers, we all have to take a more active role in shaping that future.”

Adds Nabil Nasr, director of the Golisano Institute for Sustainability: “I am pleased to welcome Dennis to RIT as the program chair of the new architecture program. He brings a very strong background in architecture and applications of sustainability in the built environment. Dennis has been a leader in many professional and academic groups concerned with environmental design, energy reduction and sustainable building technology.”

Andrejko has worked as a teacher and an administrator for more than 20 years at UB’s School of Architecture and Planning. His research and teaching focus is on energy-conscious design and sustainability with a special focus in solar design. Andrejko attended Arizona State University for his professional studies and received his post-professional training at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. In 2009, he was elevated to the College of Fellows in the American Institute of Architects for his “steadfast advocacy and inspirational teaching within the academy and profession, central to advancing sustainable futures and underscoring the inextricable relationship between the built and natural environment.” Andrejko is currently serving a two-year term as national vice president of The American Institute of Architects.

“I have been committed to the sustainability movement in the architecture arena for nearly 30 years as both a practicing architect and teacher,” says Andrejko. “And as an active member of the AIA, I endorse one of the organization’s key strategic initiatives to have all buildings become carbon neutral by 2030.”

The Rochester chapter of the AIA worked with RIT to develop the master’s program and will play an important role in the professional degree offering.

“Dennis has been a strong advocate for environmentally responsible architecture throughout his career,” says Jeremy Haefner, RIT provost and senior vice president for academic affairs. “His design thinking and teaching aligns with RIT’s mission to educate our students about how sustainable architecture can positively affect the environment and improve people’s quality of life.”

The Master of Architecture program is a collaboration between RIT’s Golisano Institute for Sustainability and RIT’s College of Imaging Arts and Sciences. Andrejko says that RIT has uniquely positioned itself among other architecture schools.

“RIT is an institute of technology and this architecture programs fuses the technology side and the art side,” adds Andrejko. “This cross-disciplinary blending combined with the thrust in sustainability is critical for not only the architecture profession, but also the discipline of architecture. It’s the students who are the next generation of professionals to assume vital leadership roles in this sustainable direction.”