Ben Refuerzo

Professor

Refuerzo is principal architectural designer in the firm R-2ARCH and has taught at the University of Texas. He has received numerous awards including an Honor Award from the Society of Architects, three national Progressive Architecture awards, an Architectural Design Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture award, and two American Institute of Architects awards. His research activity focuses on social, cultural, and behavioral factors as design considerations with applied research focusing on the study of design user needs of oppressed or underrepresented populations.

Related topics

Cross-Cultural Studies, Pacific Rim

ben.refuerzo@aud.ucla.edu

Highlights

2016-2017	Confucius Institute Faculty Grant – Awarded for advancing UCLA's mission of teaching, research, and public service
2013-2015	Shirley & Ralph Shapiro Art & Architecture
2011	Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture Nomination - Diversity Achievement Award
2010	First Place – National Art Museum for Beijing Tianjin University Institute of Architectural Design
2008	Conferred as Professor at Tianjin University, School of Architecture, China
1997	American Institute of Architects’ Health Facility Award Community Public Healthcare Evaluation, Planning & Design
1997	American Institute of Architects’ Health Facility Award Facilities for the Developmentally Disabled / Mentally Retarded An Architecture of Empowerment for Persons with Developmental Disabilities.
1997	Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture Distinguished Professor Award
1996 & 1997	Nomination - Luckman Distinguished Professor Award
1993	Juror - 40th Annual Progressive Architecture Awards Stamford, CT - Published January 1993
1992	National Award - 39th Annual Progressive Architecture Awards, First Citation for - “Redefining the Place of Architecture in Community Public Healthcare: Research Based Design”
1991	National Design Award - Architecture Design Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture - Award of Excellence in Architectural Design for “Praxis Studio”
1991	National Award - 38th Annual Progressive Architecture Awards, First Award for - “Architecture for a Changing Psychiatric Treatment Milieu: Research Based Design”
1989-1990	UCLA - Office of the Chancellor - Faculty Career Development Award
1989-1990	Outstanding Faculty Award - UCLA - GSAUP Black Students Committee
1989	National Award - 36th Annual Progressive Architecture Citation for Applied Research - “In Support of a New Life: Architectural Programming & Design Issues for Shelters for Battered Women & their Children”
1988-1989	Outstanding Faculty Award - UCLA GSAUP Minority Association of Planners & Architects
1987	Second Place Award - Japan Competition Graphics Coordinator with team of Hotchkiss, Adelson, Foster, Futterman, Stansbury, Wilder, & Winckler “Campus City Kawasaki: Quest for a Shared Vision”
1985-1990	UCLA - Committee on Research - Academic Research Grants
1984	State of Texas Society of Architects Design Award, 12,000 square foot warehouse / office renovation project in Austin
1982	Texas Excellence Teaching Award (University level), 1st time awarded to faculty from the University of Texas - School of Architecture
1982	Outstanding Teacher of the Year Award Univ. Texas - School of Architecture