CAVAD Scholars Join Christian Architecture Education Summit in Historic Gathering

For the first time ever, representatives from a dozen Christian institutions gathered for a Christian Architectural Education Summit hosted by 100 Fold Studio in Newport Beach, CA. California Baptist University was represented at the summit by Dean Dallas, Department Chair Kaiser, and current architecture student Andrea Martinez.  The purpose of the summit was to gather great minds from higher education within the Christian architecture sphere to inquire and explore the question “How does the Christian faith affect architectural education?” 

The gathering was hosted by Roberta & Howard Ahmanson, philanthropists and public intellectuals with wide interests in theology, politics, history, and the arts. Attendees included faculty and alumni from Yale University, Belmont University, University of Virginia, Andrews University, Harding University, Judson University, University of Notre Dame, and California Baptist University. 

All of the institutions present were either NAAB accredited or were NAAB accredited candidates, bringing an elevated perspective of excellence to the discussion. Along with exploring the question of how Christian faith affects architectural education, John Hudson for 100 Fold Studio explains, " While schools should maintain their distinctive attributes, a common conversation can enrich existing NAAB-accredited programs and accelerate the progress of NAAB candidates...Together, Christian architectural programs can both enhance the profession of architecture and advance the Gospel." 

Lead questions of the summit included discussions on how Christian architecture education can produce architects and designers who embody ideal Christian principles, how Christian institutions and individuals co-create with God and celebrate biblical beauty, and whether an anthology of historical, modern, and contemporary Christian artists and theorists should be promoted as an alternative to secular Architectural canons.

The summit produced deep philosophical discussions and led to the betterment of all institutions and individuals present. On his time at the Christian Architectural Education Summit, Dean Dirk Dallas shares, "I left very encouraged by the thoughtful conversations and shared commitment to integrating faith into architectural education. One of the most valuable aspects of the summit was seeing Christian institutions come together to learn from one another. Rather than working in isolation or viewing one another as competitors, we have an opportunity to collectively strengthen Christian architectural education for the benefit of our students, the profession and ultimately God's Kingdom."

If this kind of intersection between architecture, theology, and philosophy interests you, click here to learn more about CAVAD's Architecture Program.