We are excited to welcome Kishani De Silva (BArch ’95) to Woodbury University as Interim Chair of our new Sustainable Practices and Construction Management programs. These two new programs in the School of Architecture are part of the latest Title V – Sustainability grant. As Interim Chair with an interim faculty appointment, Kishani will be developing and piloting the first year courses for both programs, assisting in the development of recruiting and marketing plans, coordinating program advisory boards, as well as liaising regularly with Grant Manager Christoph Korner and Activity Director Emily Bills.
After graduating from our Woodbury School of Architecture BArch program, Kishani completed a Master of Science in Major Programme Management degree at University of Oxford, SAïD Business School. Prior to forming her own arts, architecture and design management services consultancy, 2A+D, she worked as Project Manager at Foster + Partners, managing large contracts from leads to post contract. She is currently a FUSE Core Fellow with the LA County Development Authority, advising their executive team on special projects and creating strategic partnerships to address the housing crisis in Los Angeles. She co-taught our graduate Practice course with Catherine Roussel and Michael Pinto, which won the Architecture 2030 Pilot Curriculum award for integrating sustainability into the professional practice course. Her service as President of AWA+D, and with Ten Thousand Villages Pasadena, as well as her teaching and professional track-record, demonstrates her commitment to equity and design justice and for changing the status quo in the ongoing climate emergency.
“Kishani’s experience at Woodbury as well as those professional and academic experiences gained after you graduated will be an asset to the university and to our students. We are lucky to have her join us,” says Senior Vice President of Academic Affairs, Randall Stauffer.
Read more about Kishani’s recent work as FUSE Core Fellow in this Alumni Spotlight.
Image Credit: All3DP 3d printed housing prototype