Randy Swanson

NARRATIVE BIOGRAPHY

Randy Swanson is a registered architect.  He was an Associate Professor in the College of Architecture and a member of the Graduate College at The University of North Carolina at Charlotte (August 1989 - June 2004).  His area of expertise is the history and theory of building technology and design with a dominant emphasis upon 19th & 20th Century American Architecture.  He was most recently responsible for teaching architectural design in the 5th year of thesis to students in preparation for professional registration.

Prior to his academic career he was in practice.  In Chicago, Illinois he worked in the firm of Keck and Keck, Architects, solar residential design pioneers as a draftsman for several private residences.  He also practiced in the Washington, D.C. as a project architect for the rehabilitation of several scientific-military laboratories, housing complexes and medical facilities.  He was responsible for field work, construction documents, cost estimates and overall coordination of the following Federal projects; The Alteration and Renovation of 40 Buildings at Walter Reed Army Medical Center; Repairs to Housing Complex at MCDEC, Quantico, Va.; Expansion and Alterations to Satellite Communications Center, Ft. Detrick, Md., and numerous other projects.

HISTORY & THEORY OF BUILDING TECHNOLOGY & DESIGN

Professor Swanson was responsible for conducting in depth case studies of prominent buildings, from ancient to modern, to guide student exploration of the inter-relationships between building technologies, material choices, craftsmanship, built form, and design intentions. These issues are at play in the production of all buildings but almost always exist with exceptional clarity in prominent works of architecture. The application of field techniques, record drawings, and interpretative skills have been applied to case studies nationally and internationally. These studies examined the physical and conceptual evolution of building technology and design through the investigation of selected architects, engineers, and their works. Specific issues addressed were: Changing Materials and Construction; Changing Structural & Spatial Concepts; Changing Environmental Control; Changing Legal, Code & Social Demands; and the Changing Image of a Better World.

INTERNATIONAL CASE STUDY & TOUR SITES

Over eighteen years of service in architectural education has contributed to a first-hand knowledge of prominent architecture in the following cities and regions:


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