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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
Education
Candidate for the Doctorate in Architecture, University of Michigan College of Architecture & Urban Planning
M.Arch, UC Berkeley
B.A., UC Berkeley
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
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