Christine Theodoropoulos

Position	CAED Dean
email	theo@calpoly.edu
phone	805.756.1311
Office	05-214A
web page	www.caed.calpoly.edu

Areas of Expertise

Architectural education
Architectural/structural design integration
Earthquake-resistant architectural design

Profile

After teaching in schools of architecture in Texas, California and Oregon, Christine Theodoropoulos joined Cal Poly in 2012 as dean of the CAED where she stewards five nationally recognized accredited programs in city and regional planning, landscape architecture, architecture, architectural engineering and construction management.

In collaboration with colleagues and inspired by students, she has led curricular innovations, launched new programs, supported research initiatives, and realized opportunities that have advanced the missions of schools of design and the quality of education that prepares students for careers. She consults for schools of architecture on curriculum development and accreditation, and has served on fifteen visiting teams for the NAAB (National Architectural Accrediting Board). She has been a member of governing boards for the NAAB, the ACSA (Association for Collegiate Schools of Architecture), the AIAS (American Institute of Architecture Students) and served as founding president of the BTES (Building Technology Educators’ Society).

As an architect-engineer Christine explores ways to integrate architecture and engineering practice to improve earthquake-resistant design, address environmental implications of building design, and develop teaching materials that advance architects’ knowledge of structures. As an advisor on building stock data development that informs decisions made by state and local governments, and as an international delegate at post-earthquake planning exchanges with China, Taiwan and Japan, she advocates for design that creates safer, more resilient communities.

She has mentored many students receiving national awards for research and design, including designs of sustainable buildings for sustainable cities, emergency shelters for disaster relief, post-earthquake reconstruction in Taiwan, bridges for a waterfront renewal district, and other structures.

Experience

(For more information: Curriculum Vitae, Dossier)

Educational Credentials:

Master of Architecture, Yale University
Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering, Princeton University

Teaching Experience:

Dean, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, 2012-present
Head, Professor, Associate Professor, University of Oregon, 1997-2012
Director, Co-director, Teaching Technology Certificate, University of Oregon, 2000-12
Associate Professor, Assistant Professor, Cal Poly Pomona, 1990-97
Director, Neutra VDL Research House, Cal Poly Pomona, 1992-97
Adjunct Faculty, USC, UCLA, SCI-ARC, Otis Art Institute, 1987-93
Assistant Professor, University of Houston, 1985-87

Professional Experience:

Design & Education Consultant, 1987-present
Design Arts Regional Representative, National Endowment for the Arts, 1988-90
Associate Structural Engineer, Parsons Corporation, 1979-82

Licenses/Registration:

Licensed Architect, California
Registered Professional Civil Engineer, California
Safety Assessment Program Evaluator, California
General Post-Earthquake Inspector, Oregon

Professional Memberships:

ACSA (Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture)
AIA (American Institute of Architects
EERI (Earthquake Engineering Research Institute)
BTES (Building Technology Educators’ Society)
NOMA (National Organization of Minority Architects)

Scholarship (selected)

Publications:

• “The NAAB Live Project Paradigm,” Architecture Live Projects: Pedagogy into Practice, Routledge. Eds. Harris, Widder. 2014
• “Implementation of Seismic Regulations for Nonstructural Components in Essential and Important Buildings,” China-USA Symposium for the Advancement of Earthquake Sciences and Hazard Mitigation Practices. 2010
• “Barriers to the Implementation of Sustainable Structural Materials in Green Buildings,” 1^st International Conference on Structures and Architecture. Co-authors: Griffin, Knowles, Allen. 2010
• “Oregon Design Professionals’ Views of Structural Building Products in Green Buildings: Implications for Wood,” Canadian Journal of Forest Research. Co-authors: Knowles, Griffin, Allen. 2010
• Connector: A Forum for Teachers of Technology in Schools of Architecture, Editor & Contributor. 2000-09
• “Re-connecting with Connector,” Building Technology Educators’ Symposium. Co-authors: Allen, Dermody. 2009
• “Configuring Structure to Improve Daylight Access in Multistory Buildings,” Architectural Research Centers Consortium Conference. Co-authors: Brown, Johnson, Hatten, Chatto, Kline, Northcutt. 2008
• “The Regulation of Seismic Design,” Designing for Earthquakes: A Manual for Architects, FEMA. Ed. Arnold. 2007
• “Seismic Design Education in Schools of Architecture,” Building Technology Educators’ Symposium. 2006
• “Achieving Risk Reduction through Service Learning at the University of Oregon,” Disaster Resistant California Conference. Co-author: LeDuc. 2006

Activities:

Recognitions:

• Distinguished Professor, ACSA 2017
• Admired Educator in America’s Best Architecture and Design Schools, DesignIntelligence, 2016
• NCARB Prize, Lead of faculty-practitioner studio teaching team

 

Updated 12.07.2022