Professor spends sabbatical studying Spanish architecture  

On his sabbatical, Keelan Kaiser, professor and architecture program director, studied architecture in southern Spain, including the Alhambra — a 13th century governor’s palace. 

Riverside, Calif. (Feb. 3, 2025) – “Dazzling” is how Keelan Kaiser, professor and architecture program director, described the historic buildings in southern Spain that he studied extensively during his sabbatical in spring 2024.  

“It’s like being inside a jewelry cabinet because the work is so amazingly detailed,” Kaiser said, speaking of the Alhambra — a 13th century governor’s palace — in Granada, Spain.  

Kaiser’s sabbatical research focused on architectural cosmology, which means looking at architecture from a theological point of view.  

“Spain is interesting because it's a place where all three of the major monotheistic traditions have an architectural presence. The Christian, Jewish and Islamic cultures have all played a role in developing the architectural expression that we see in Spain. And the architecture that comes from that cultural fusion is really unique,” he said.   

Kaiser took three weeklong trips to Spain in 2024, studying the Alhambra; the Alcazar, a castle in Seville; and the Mosque–Cathedral of Córdoba, among other cathedrals.  

Professor spends sabbatical studying Spanish architecture  

His photographs and artwork of these places were exhibited in January in CBU’s Architecture Building, drawing a turnout of about 75 students, faculty and professionals from the community, including members of the American Institute of Architects – Inland California.  

“There is a lot of wonderful, creative expression in the world, and that isn’t limited to Christian expression,” Kaiser said. “This is one place that resonates with me mostly because of the cultural fusion and the traditions intersecting and creating a unique expression.” 

Kaiser has led study abroad trips to Spain and Italy in the past, bringing architecture students to see historic architecture and “seek the wisdom and beauty from the expressions that have been made over different architectural eras,” he said. 

“The sabbatical project was an opportunity for me to spend time alone at those monument sites, so that I could do my own in-depth research, which includes drawing and photography. I could look at those buildings in more detail and with more time at my disposal to do so,” Kaiser said.  

During his sabbatical, Kaiser was also able to collaborate with faculty from the University of Seville and the University of Córdoba, writing journal articles and conducting a drawing workshop with university students.  

Professor spends sabbatical studying Spanish architecture  At CBU, Kaiser immediately made use of his sabbatical research in his freshman Introduction to Design class. There, students were assigned to design their own shapes and patterns, referencing examples from the Alhambra and other buildings in Spain and Italy. Kaiser is also planning to compose a photography book, featuring many of the fine details found in southern Spanish architecture, especially those that are hard to see because of the low lighting conditions of medieval architecture interiors. 

Additionally, Kaiser, other CBU faculty and students will present research at the 2025 Venice Biennale, a major international exhibit of architecture research and practice.  

“It is a huge honor to be invited, and it’s our first time,” Kaiser said.  

Kaiser and a group of architecture juniors and faculty will attend the opening reception on May 10, beginning the students’ five-week study abroad experience. 

“Professor Kaiser's exploration of Spanish medieval architecture through cosmological and material lenses shows a deep commitment to advancing architectural scholarship,” said Dirk Dallas, dean of the College of Architecture, Visual Arts and Design.  “His sabbatical is a perfect example of how such opportunities can produce meaningful outcomes such as rigorous research, impactful dissemination of ideas and significant contributions to both his field and the broader academic community.”  

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