CAAD Web Search

ADVANCEMENT FUND CAAD
has undertaken a directed fundraising effort aimed at increasing the discretionary resources available to the program on an annual basis. In light of the on-going budget reductions from the Mississippi legislature, the School's Advancement Fund has become a very important priority in its long-range planning. The program is seeking to establish a sustainable level of $100,000 a year in the Advancement Fund in order to continue meeting the annual needs of the School's student organizations, faculty projects, special alumni events, annual publications, and recruiting of prospective students. In addition, these resources will also allow for the School to purchase upgraded technology systems, hardware and equipment for the computer lab as well as the wood and materials shop, and provide in-house maintenance for the facilities within Giles Hall.

TECHNOLOGY ENHANCEMENTS
SARC is seeking a $2.5 million endowment (which includes naming rights) to support the technical infrastructure of its Digital Research and Imaging Laboratory (DRIL). This arm of the program began in 1995 with the mission of identifying problems that are addressed through focused education and research in the areas of (1) computer visualization, (2) virtual architecture, (3) information technology, (4) digital design, and (5) Computer Aided Design Computer Aided Manufacturing (CADCAM). The DRIL serves as the backbone to the Masters of Science curricula in the School and this unique aspect has helped distinguish the program as a cutting-edge leader among other architecture schools in the country. As the School focuses on the future of DRIL, there is a desire to focus its efforts on the practical impact of the computer in the design and construction industry. More specifically, DRIL will concentrate on the advancement of digital graphics and imaging in terms of their utilization in the process of building structures for maximum effectiveness. In addition, a great deal of analysis will be conducted in the area of human-computer interface as the migration and implications of technology in design, manufacturing, and construction continues to expand. The research performed in such specialized fields has the potential of revolutionizing the manner in which buildings are put together as well as how the various actors in the business communicate about such projects.

JACKSON COMMUNITY DESIGN CENTER ENDOWMENT
With the lead gift of $200,000 from the Phil Hardin Foundation of Meridian, MS, SARC is seeking to complete a $500,000 endowment for the Jackson Community Design Center (JCDC), one of its two service-oriented outreach programs. The JCDC works in disadvantaged urban sections of Jackson, Mississippi to establish affordable housing and create the potential for economic growth. Over the past five years, the JCDC has joined with many partners from local officials and business leaders to non-profit entities to focus attention and resources on impoverished and often forgotten segments of the capital city. The JCDC's mission is two-fold: to provide quality design service on projects that fall outside of normal profit-making architectural practice, and to educate community leaders, builders, and architecture students concerning the importance of architecture and community-based work. Based on the rich heritage of Mississippi State University's service role as a land-grant institution, the JCDC aligns the resources and expertise of the School of Architecture and University with the needs of the community in order to build a supportive partnership. Currently the School remains $140,000 from completing this venture and stabilizing the resource base for the JCDC.