Name expansion and re-opening of historic Richardson Memorial Hall

Reflecting a decade-long evolution in transformative education, research and design, the Tulane School of Architecture has officially expanded its name to the Tulane School of Architecture and Built Environment. The new name embodies the school’s growing reputation as a leader in interdisciplinary design education, groundbreaking research and impact beyond the foundation of architecture. The announcement comes as Tulane University completed a major renovation and expansion of the school’s campus home, Richardson Memorial Hall.
 
Under the direction of Dean Iñaki Alday, the school is pioneering a new standard of excellence in research and practice that will address material, climate, and social challenges alike.  
 
“Architecture will continue to expand into a multidisciplinary approach to improve how we live in and engage with the environment around us. After several years of brainstorming and action in this direction, we have aligned our name with the current and future reality of an evolving industry and how our school has grown to support it. Tulane School of Architecture and Built Environment is emerging as the place to be – the place for top students and scholars of all backgrounds to practice collective stewardship of the challenges and ideas that shape the planet we inhabit.” — Iñaki Alday, Dean and Richard Koch Chair in Architecture

Over the past decade, the School of Architecture and Built Environment has strengthened in impact and reach; with an ever-growing student body and new academic offerings across disciplines, such as design, urban development, and landscape architecture. The new name and revitalized building also reflect the increased interests of students, faculty and staff to engage in collaborations with social science, geography, graphic design, preservation, civil engineering, urban planning and more, opening opportunities for the entire university.

“Many of the most pressing issues facing our society – including health and aging, environmental resilience, our growing use of energy, and many others – intersect in crucial ways with questions about how we engage with and use the spaces, interior and exterior, all around us. This name change signifies that our School of Architecture and Built Environment will be playing a greater role in these areas, enhancing not only the experiences of its own faculty and students, but also enriching, and adding essential expertise to, some of the most crucial work being carried out across campus.” — Robin Forman, Tulane Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost

The new name comes on the heels of the restoration of Richardson Memorial Hall, which reconnects the school's disciplines under one roof at a significant moment in the its history. Spring 2025 classes have commenced in the renewed building, which includes the original 45,000-square-foot structure and an additional 15,000 square feet. The renovation project is part of a major campus improvement initiative by Tulane University and the generous contributions of the school's family of donors. 

The new name accommodates the School of Architecture and Built Environment’s growing community and breadth of expertise, which many faculty, staff, and alumni anticipate will open more opportunities for the entire university.   

“In the last decade, the school has blossomed with new programs and fresh potential. Its transformation, however, remains veiled behind its older persona: the Tulane School of Architecture deserves to emerge more fully visible and more clearly understood for the 21st century.” — Robert Ivy, School Alumni (A ’76), former editor of Architectural Record, and former CEO of American Institute of Architects 

The School of Architecture and Built Environment is transforming places for people and committed to being a leader in addressing climate change and social inequity through design and innovation. To further expand its array of studies, a major and minor of Sustainable Urbanism and a dual degree Master of Landscape Architecture and Engineering, in partnership with the Tulane School of Science and Engineering, are among the programs recently added.  

Read more about the story behind the name change here.