July 7, 2009

The Architecture Program at the University of Maryland School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation has a decade-long history of success in developing models for integrated design, demonstrated through numerous teaching, academic, and professional awards and honors.  In partnership with the A. James Clark School of Engineering, the Architecture Program further advanced this history of success most recently in the award-winning LEAFHouse entry to the 2007 Department of Energy Solar Decathlon.  

Using LEAFHouse as a pilot project, the Center for the Use of Sustainable Practices (CUSP) was formed.  CUSP joins the National Center for Smart Growth as a sister center, in order to explore research, design, education and outreach activities related to sustainable practices at the scale of the building, the community, and the city.  As an inter-and multidisciplinary center for the design and research of sustainable practices for buildings, communities and cities the mission of CUSP is centered on fostering integrated practice necessary for current and future practitioners who are charged with creating built environments and who must cross generational and academic - industry boundaries to do so. 

By partnering with the National Center for Smart Growth, CUSP will bring together research and expertise of the NCSG with the interest and expertise of faculty within the School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation.   Building on that basis, joining with other Schools and Colleges within the University as well as affiliated colleagues in the professional community, the Center provides a unified venue for design, research, and outreach through integrated and interdisciplinary activities not afforded by typical architectural or engineering professional services.

The Center for the Use of Sustainable Practices rounds out the research and outreach assistance agendas of the NCSG and the EFC by executing design projects that support, implement, or complement the research and outreach work of the two sister centers.  CUSP pursues design and design/build projects that cross boundaries between three settings: research / academic setting; public outreach and education; and private enterprise.  

CUSP will extend the research and design advancements of LEAFHouse, bringing the principles of integrated and sustainable design developed in LEAFhouse to real projects in real communities.  In the next few years, CUSP will focus on the following initiatives and activities: 

• bringing next-generation models of LEAFHouse to market in various forms including affordable housing and market-rate prefabricated products,
  
  
• working with developers and homebuilders to bring advancements in sustainable design to market in residential construction, and
  
  
• working with code officials to bring advancements to local code amendments such that alternative energy strategies and sustainable construction methods can be recognized by local codes.

The School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation at the University of Maryland is home to four academic disciplines: architecture, urban planning, historic preservation and real estate development. Committed to educating its students and community about the importance of sustainability and smart growth, the School practices an interdisciplinary approach to education, research, creative work, and community and professional service. For more information, please e-mail us or call 301.405.8000.

School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation  |  Collaborative Education for a Sustainable Future