$1 Million Grant Supports the Institute for Design Research and Innovation at the School of Architecture and Design

The School of Architecture and Design received a $1 million grant from the IDC Foundation, a legacy of the Institute of Design and Construction, bringing its total support of New York Tech to more than $4.2 million.

“The school has benefitted tremendously over the years from the generous support from the IDC Foundation and the confidence of our university leadership in our ability to grow in leaps and bounds. We now stand at a pivotal moment, poised to advance architectural education and research in unprecedented ways,” says Maria Perbellini, M.Arch., dean of the School of Architecture and Design.

“The IDC Foundation is pleased to be able to support this transformational initiative at New York Tech,” says Raymond R. Savino, president of the IDC Foundation. “We are especially excited that this initiative will link groundbreaking research with interdisciplinary collaboration. We look forward to the dynamic innovations that will emerge from New York Tech’s students and faculty.”

Rapid technological advancements are transforming the way architects and designers conceive, design, and construct the built environment. The three-year grant will support the establishment of the IDC Institute for Design Research and Innovation, encompassing School of Architecture and Design facilities, labs, and centers on the Long Island and New York City campuses, acting as the center point for stimulating interdisciplinary collaboration, technological innovation, and the advancement of architectural and design education.

“We will create an integrated ecosystem that connects our specialized laboratories and our expertise, fostering groundbreaking research and interdisciplinary collaboration,” says Perbellini. The IDC Institute will serve as a crucial collaborative partner in institutional initiatives including the new Innovation and Entrepreneurship Academy, Perbellini adds. “This contribution will help expand New York Tech’s legacy of experiential learning and innovation. It is essential to align our efforts with the broader institutional goals, and this grant supports our aim to engage each school in fostering the growth of New York Tech.”

With the grant, the institute will strategically allocate resources for labs, including:

• the purchase and maintenance of machinery, equipment, furniture, and computers
• graduate assistants, researchers, and scholars
• research and special projects, including materials, exhibitions, installations, etc.
• advanced digital skills workshops

Labs that will be brought into the IDC Institute for Design Research and Innovation include:

• Artificial Intelligence Lab
• Digital Fabrication Labs
• Robotics Labs
• BioMaterials Labs
• 3DP-XL Lab
• RemediaLab (Regenerative Material Environment for Medical and Design Interactive Applications)
• The HIVE
• Center for Offsite Construction
• Urban Climate Lab

The grant will also allow the school to further its integration of artificial intelligence (AI) throughout its curricula by providing support for new and existing graduate and undergraduate programs. “By integrating AI into architecture and design education, we will empower students to explore innovative design possibilities, make data-informed decisions, and develop critical skills for an evolving, tech-driven profession,” says Perbellini.

Additionally, it will leverage emerging technologies to foster innovative activities such as:

• AI-driven design exhibitions and prototypes
• faculty publications in high-impact journals
• hackathons and design competitions
• expert-led AI workshops and tutorials
• symposia and forums led by industry leaders and academics
• real-world industry-partnered studios
• interactive AI technology installations
• emerging technology research fellowships
• AI and architecture lecture series
• cross-disciplinary collaborations
• AI upskilling programs for professionals
• public events

“This comprehensive initiative will prepare the next generation of architectural leaders to address critical societal challenges through innovative design thinking and technological advancement. We are immensely grateful to the IDC Foundation for embracing our vision,” says Perbellini.

Adds New York Tech President Emeritus Henry C. “Hank” Foley, Ph.D., “This transformative grant from the IDC Foundation represents a significant investment in the future of design education and research at New York Tech. We are deeply grateful for their continued support and commitment to empowering the next generation of visionary architects and designers who will be among the doers, makers, and innovators reinventing the future.”