Prof. James A. Chaffers - SPACESPIRIT

Prof. James A. Chaffers - SPACESPIRIT Navigating an Architecture that Enables, Sustains, and Edifies Opening Reception: October 6, 2011 04:00 PM- 06:00PM. Free and open to the public. Gallery Hours: Monday, Wednesday and Thursday: 12 to 4 PM

A magna cum laude graduate of Southern University, Dr. Chaffers completed advanced studies in Architecture at the University of Michigan and was the nation’s first recipient of a PH.D. in Architecture. An international practitioner and Professor Emeritus of Architecture at the University of Michigan, Dr. Chaffers' professional and academic work focuses on design links between spatial quality and human spirituality. Dr. Chaffers has won many honors which recognize his scholarship, distinguished teaching, and professional consultations, including Educator of the Year of Michigan Colleges and Universities, A Distinguished Faculty Award and a U-M Outstanding Teacher Award. In his academic/professional roles, Dr. Chaffers has served as Director of the University of Michigan Ph.D. Program in Architecture, Director of the Villa Corsi-Salviati Design Studio in Florence, Italy, and the Director of the Taubman College West African Studio in Accra and Kumasi, Ghana. Dr. Chaffers is the founder of two inner city design centers, a first prize winner in the Student/Professor category of several international design competitions. His most recent accomplishment was an invitation to serve as a Senior Design Juror for the design of a memorial in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Guided by competition criteria co-developed by Dr. Chaffers, the winning entry for the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Memorial emerged from over 900 competitive briefs submitted by the international design community. Honoring a legacy of four decades, the MLK National Memorial is located on the Monumental Mall in Washington, DC.