For press information, contact Simone Notter Wilson (901) 678-4164

The Department of Architecture has received the national Environmental Stewardship Award from the Construction Specifications Institute (CSI) for its TERRA (Technologically and Environmentally Responsive Residential Architecture) sustainable design demonstration house. The house was designed and developed by the Department of Architecture through the U of M's Center for Sustainable Design.

Located in the Uptown neighborhood in downtown Memphis, TERRA promotes environmental awareness in the construction industry, in design, and in the education of the public relative to sustainability. The house was designed entirely by students from the Department of Architecture under the supervision of faculty and represents a partnership between the department and more than 50 businesses, government and non-profit organizations.

The project involved several members of the University's CSI student affiliate (CSI-S) and particularly recognizes the work of CSI-S members Alzbeta Bowden and Kate Bidwell. CSI Memphis representative Gary Copeland, who donated his architectural library to the Department of Architecture last year, nominated the TERRA project for the award as a way to showcase the department's community involvement.

The award will be presented at CONSTRUCT2010 and the CSI Annual Convention in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in May. Tom Mason, CSI faculty representative and advisor to the CSI student affiliate will accept the award on behalf of the Department of Architecture.