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The American Institute of Architects (AIA) and the Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture (ACSA) created the AIA-ACSA Design & Health Research Consortium to advance university research that ties together building design and health concerns. 

������ is one of the 25 charter university members invited to join the consortium. Sara Bayramzadeh, Ph.D., M.Arch., the coordinator of the Healthcare Design program at ������, said the Kent State team is looking forward to more research opportunities. 

“We are glad that we will join a consortium with members from other great programs and schools focused on the impact of design on health,” said Dr. Bayramzadeh, who is leading the Kent State team. 

Along with Dr. Bayramzadeh, the cross-disciplinary team is made up of Adil Sharag-Eldin, Ph.D., and Terry Schwarz, M.A., from the College of Architecture and Environmental Design; Barbara Broome, Ph.D., R.N., F.A.A.N., from the College of Nursing; and Maggie Stedman-Smith, Ph.D., M.P.H., M.S., R.N., from the College of Public Health. 

The team will address psychological and physical health through the built environment from the perspective of applied research and design practice.

The AIA is a professional organization for architects with more than 94,000 members and more than 200 chapters around the globe. AIA’s efforts are directed toward supporting design that yields positive change.

As for the Kent State team’s future plans, Dr. Bayramzadeh said, “We plan to apply for grants and start a research project that specifically focuses on depression across various scales of the built environment. We will also engage students in the research projects. It will be a great learning experience for students and will help them interact with students from various disciplines.”

To learn more about the College of Architecture and Environment Design, visit: www.kent.edu/caed.

 WRITTEN BY: NATALIE EUSEBIO