Faculty Research
Our faculty are leading bold research for a better future
When Jonas Hauptman looks at bamboo, he sees more than a plant — he sees a pathway to sustainable housing. Through global partnerships and design innovation, Hauptman is developing scalable bamboo construction systems that could transform housing in Ecuador, the Philippines, and beyond. His work demonstrates how faculty research can deliver solutions to urgent global needs while advancing sustainable practices in the construction industry.
Faculty across the College of Architecture, Arts, and Design bring the same spirit of creativity, collaboration, and impact to their research. Together, they are advancing knowledge, expanding creative practice, and developing human-centered solutions that improve lives, environments, and communities worldwide.
Look for an expert?
AAD faculty are leaders in their fields — innovators, creators, and problem-solvers whose work spans design, the arts, architecture, performance, and technology. Whether you are a researcher seeking collaborators or an industry partner looking for expertise, you’ll find it here.
To get started, try our suggested resources below or contact Karine Dupre, associate dean for research and creative scholarship, at kdupre@vt.edu.
Faculty who push past possible
Innovation in the College of Architecture, Arts, and Design doesn’t happen by coloring inside the lines. Our faculty are rethinking materials, bending technology, and fusing disciplines to tackle some of the world’s most pressing challenges. They’re deeply engaged in projects that reimagine how we live, connect, heal, and create.
The themes below spotlight just a few areas where our faculty are leading bold research — work that proves boundaries are meant to be crossed, and possibilities are meant to be expanded.
Next-Gen Construction: Scalable, Sustainable, Smart
As the world confronts climate change and a deepening housing crisis, AAD researchers are pioneering new and more sustainable ways to build. From bamboo-based structural systems to robotic fabrication and mass timber, their work blends more eco-friendly materials, digital tools, and global partnerships to deliver affordable, low-carbon, high-performance construction solutions for diverse communities.
Shaping the future with 3D-printed clay facades
Ramtin Haghnazar, assistant professor of architecture
AI-Powered Design: Building Smarter, More Inclusive Spaces
At the intersection of architecture, automation, and accessibility, AAD faculty are reimagining what buildings can perceive and do. Their research harnesses AI, material science, acoustics, and immersive tech to create responsive environments — from sound-sensitive walls to talkative benches — that promote well-being, enhance access, and push the boundaries of intelligent design.
When architecture listens
Alaa Algargoosh, assistant professor of architecture (pictured above)
Creative Impact: Art, Design, and Innovation for Well-Being
From immersive filmmaking to bio-inspired product design, Virginia Tech faculty are harnessing the power of the arts and human-centered design to elevate health and sustainability. Their work crosses disciplines and mediums — using storytelling, design thinking, and creative technologies to foster emotional connection, improve public understanding, and inspire real-world change.
Discovering the hidden world of freshwater mussels
Justin Perkinson, assistant professor of cinema (pictured below)
Looking for resources for AAD faculty?
You’ll probably find what you’re looking for on the college’s Intranet site: Inside AAD. Log in with your Virginia Tech credentials and you’ll find information and resources, including research funding opportunities, administration tools, policies and procedures, and key offices and departments at the university.