In an interview with AIA Dallas' Columns magazine, Nan Ellin '81 shared her thoughts about her move to Dallas, her proudest professional moments, and the launch of the University of Texas at Arlington's College of Architecture, Planning and Public Affairs.
Asked for her definition of good urbanism, Ellin responded:
Good urbanism allows us to thrive, not merely survive. The question for professionals involved with shaping environments is how to accomplish this. Rather than approach a project as a tabula rasa, conventional practice for many years, good urbanists see a tabula plena, a full slate or table. In other words, good urbanists identify the existing physical and social assets in any given place, including the principal stakeholders who they bring to this table to build on the strengths by envisioning collectively while rallying resources to realize the vision. In contrast to the architect Howard Roark in Ayn Rand’s The Fountainhead, the designer is not a sole hero or lone star. Instead, we co-create as a constellation of stars.
More about UTA's newly integrated College of Architecture, Planning and Public Affairs.