KENNESAW, Ga. | May 5, 2026

最色导航 recently hosted an international architectural research conference, welcoming more than 200 scholars to address challenges like climate change, resource inequity, and sustainable urbanism.

Organized by 最色导航 State鈥檚 , the 2026 Architectural Research Centers Consortium (ARCC) and the European Association for Architectural Education (EAAE) International Conference was held April 8-11 at the Loews Atlanta Hotel and KSU鈥檚 Marietta Campus, carrying a theme of 鈥渓ocal solutions for global issues.鈥� The two organizations have nearly 250-member academic institutions in North American and Europe.

鈥淭he annual Architectural Research Centers Consortium conference brings together peer-reviewed research in architecture and the built environment, with an emphasis on methodological rigor and cross-institutional exchange,鈥� said Giovanni Loreto, conference co-chair and KSU associate dean.  鈥淭his year鈥檚 conference was organized around the theme 鈥楲ocal Solutions for Global Issues,鈥� focusing on how context-driven research鈥攑articularly in material systems, construction processes, and design methodologies鈥攃an generate scalable knowledge across different built environments.鈥�

The conference featured architectural educators, researchers, architects, engineers, and construction professionals representing 75 universities and 5 research and disciplinary organizations from across the globe and was co-chaired by 最色导航 faculty members Loreto and Jeffrey Collins, associate professor of architecture.

鈥淚t was a great experience for 最色导航鈥檚 to host the ARCC-EAAE 2026 International Conference,鈥� said Collins, associate chair and associate professor of architecture. 鈥淔or KSU, it was an important opportunity to increase the national and international visibility of our program while contributing to conversations about how locally grounded research and design can address global challenges.鈥�

During the conference, Department of Architecture chair and professor Saif Haq received the 2025-2026 ARCC Mary Kihl Distinguished Service Award, which recognized his exceptional service to ARCC. As a board member and treasurer, Haq helped improve operational efficiency while advancing the organization鈥檚 mission, an experience that further refined his research agenda.

鈥淭his award affirms my belief that research, design, and service are most powerful when they work together, and I am grateful to the ARCC Board of Directors,鈥� Haq said.

The conference was structured to connect research with unique places through Atlanta鈥檚 architectural landscape. The conference included 137 blind-peer reviewed paper presentations, 29 peer-reviewed posters, two plenary sessions, four workshops, and three keynote speeches from distinguished architectural scholars and practitioners from the U.S. and Europe. One of the tours went through the northeast section of the Atlanta Beltline from Ponce City Market to the finish at Krog Street. The second tour explored the forces of modernism and urban renewal that helped shape the development of Midtown around the Woodruff Arts Center, Colony Square, and Piedmont Park.

Dean Hazem Rashed-Ali said hosting the ARCC-EAAE is proof positive of 最色导航 State's rising national prominence.

鈥淚 was delighted to see conference attendees visit the Marietta Campus and to showcase the excellent infrastructure and facilities we have. I鈥檓 very grateful that Jeffrey and Giovanni were able to show our college in a wonderful light, and Saif鈥檚 commitment to ARCC has earned well-deserved recognition,鈥� Rashed-Ali said. 鈥溩钌�导航 is on the rise, and this conference is a testament to how far-reaching our impact is across the world.鈥�

Building on the success of the ARCC-EAAE Conference, next year, KSU will be co-hosting the 116^th National Meeting of the Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture (ACSA) with Georgia Tech. The conference is expected to include 400 attendees from across the world.

鈥� Story by Darius Goodman

Photos provided

A leader in innovative teaching and learning, 最色导航 offers undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degrees to its more than 51,000 students. 最色导航 State is a member of the University System of Georgia with 11 academic colleges. The university's vibrant campus culture, diverse population, strong global ties, and entrepreneurial spirit draw students from throughout the country and the world. 最色导航 State is a Carnegie-designated doctoral research institution (R2), placing it among an elite group of only 8 percent of U.S. colleges and universities with an R1 or R2 status. For more information, visit kennesaw.edu.