Stan Allen GS '88, a practicing architect and faculty member at Columbia University, has been selected as the new dean of the architecture school, the University announced yesterday. Allen was appointed at the trustees meeting Saturday and will assume office July 1, replacing Ralph Lerner.
As a University graduate, Allen said he is happy to return to his alma mater.
"My own memories of being a student of Princeton were great," he said, "and I'm looking forward to going down there."
Allen said Acting Dean Mario Gandelsonas has kept the department in good shape during the past year.
By filling the several open faculty positions, Allen will be able to shape the school's direction.
Allen said he wants to further integrate the theoretical and practical sides of architecture — which is a traditional strength.
"[It] is something that has been present in Princeton in the past and something that I would like to recapture," Allen said.
Allen's expertise has prepared him to implement his proposed changes, said Paul Lewis, who is affiliated with the architecture school.
"[Allen is] very highly respected in the practicing world in architecture and the written theoretical world," Lewis said.
Lewis also noted Allen's skills in writing and administration.
"He's incredibly well-rounded in all of those aspects that you look for in a dean," he said. "He brings a real energy and a real passion."
Allen said he hopes to address American urbanism and problems specific to U.S. cities — issues that will keep the school on the forefront of the architectural world.
"My own practice focuses on large-scale urban works, and is strategically oriented and has a landscape component," Allen said. "So I'll be looking to focus the school on some of those issues."
"Stan Allen is just the right person to lead our architecture school at this point in history," President Tilghman said in a statement.
Since 1991, Allen has been the director of Columbia's master of science in advanced architectural design program.
He is also a partner of Field Operations, based in Philadelphia and New York, which specializes in large scale urban sites and public spaces. The firm received first prize in a competition to design a use for the Fresh Kills landfill in Staten Island.
Allen has also received various awards and has designed galleries, workspaces and single-family houses in several cities.
Allen said he will use the summer to become acquainted with the architecture school, working with faculty to ease the transition. The appointment is for five years, but Allen said he hopes to stay on for longer.
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