"We are very pleased that the NAAB has renewed the school's continuing accreditation, just as the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools granted the school continuing accreditation last month," Sidy said. "These affirmative decisions from the school's two accrediting bodies underscore the relevance, quality, uniqueness and success of our academic program to educate professionals in the architectural discipline as well as our contemporary interpretation of the ideas of Frank Lloyd Wright."
Joseph Giattina, Jr., FAIA, chair of the NAAB's visiting team, asserted, "The Frank Lloyd Wright School of Architecture is building on the positive foundation of Wright's legacy and moving into the next level of growth. The students and faculty are motivated, intelligent, energetic and engaged. It's clear that the school has the right leadership in place. I feel strongly that they are pursing a long-term vision to increase the breadth of the school, and I look to good things from them."
The NAAB accredits professional degree programs in architecture, and the full three-year term of continuing accreditation applies to the school's Master of Architecture (M.Arch) degree program. NAAB accreditation is critical for architecture studentspreparing to practice professionally, as most state registration boards require applicants for licensure to have graduated from a NAAB-accredited program. Currently, 15 students are enrolled in the school's M.Arch program. HLC accredits degree-granting institutions.
The NAAB's ruling follows a comprehensive on-site review in March. Prior to that visit, Sidy had presented NAAB with the school's Architecture Program Report (APR), which responded to an exhaustive list of questions and criteria. Once on campus, the NAAB's visiting team discussed the APR with the school's constituencies (i.e., faculty, staff, students, administrators) and also reviewed an exhibition of the students' work, including design projects, professional projects and learning portfolios.
School occupies singular educational niche
Owned and operated by the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation, the Frank Lloyd Wright School of Architecture is based at Wright's own homes -- both National Historic Landmark properties -- at Taliesin in Spring Green, Wis., and Taliesin West in Scottsdale, Ariz. With a combined undergraduate and graduate enrollment in the low 20s, it is one of the smallest accredited architectural schools in the world and managed by one of the youngest deans.
The school has one of the highest rates of entry into the architectural profession at 90 percent, according to David Mohney, AIA, member of the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation Board of Trustees and chair of the board's oversight committee for the school.
"The school is moving in a positive direction," Mohney said, "and the NAAB's report reflects that. The draft of the NAAB's Visiting Team Report that we received along with the determination letter confirming continuing accreditation noted that such key metrics as architectural education, studio culture, graphic skills and collaborative skills are among the school's strengths. It also identified several areas that merit additional attention, including program self-assessment and structural systems, and we already have been taking steps to enhance those capabilities. We appreciate the NAAB's insights and recommendations as we continue to refine and implement our strategic plan."
About the Frank Lloyd Wright School of Architecture
The Frank Lloyd Wright School of Architecture at Taliesin is the realization of Wright's idea that architects should develop their skills through hands-on experience. Students of the School are educated through a program that includes architectural studio work, construction, social and cultural programs and supplementary classes. The Frank Lloyd Wright School of Architecture offers programs leading to two degrees: the pre-professional Bachelor of Architectural Studies and the professional Master of Architecture. The School, including both programs, is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools http://www.ncahlc.org. The National Architectural Accrediting Board accredits the professional, Master of Architecture degree. The School is operated by the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation Scottsdale, Ariz. More information about the Frank Lloyd Wright School of Architecture is at http://www.taliesin.edu.
About the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation
The Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation was established in 1940 by Mr. Wright to be the repository of his life's work. Today, in keeping with its public mission to Conserve, Create, Educate, the Foundation educates the public about the relevancy of Wright's legacy of architectural design innovation, including his philosophy of organic architecture, and promotes dialogue, collaboration and solutions regarding sustainability and the environmental and economic impacts of the 21st century built environment. The Foundation owns, operates and conserves two National Historic Landmark properties that were Wright's own homes - Taliesin in Spring Green, Wis., and Taliesin West in Scottsdale, Ariz., its international headquarters. The Foundation also operates the professionally accredited Frank Lloyd Wright School of Architecture, and owns and conserves the Frank Lloyd Wright Archives. More information about the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation is at http://www.franklloydwright.org. Frank Lloyd Wright(R) is a registered trademark of the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation.
CONTACT: Mark J. Lynch, A.L. Brourman Associates, Inc.
412-260-8451 mlynch@brourman.com
