Support Our School

The School of Architecture always welcomes contributions no matter what the amount.

These come to us from a variety of sources — from students and their families, from staff, from faculty, from alumni, from friends who attend our lectures and events, and from others who have an interest in the School or in one of its programs. Here are a few of the School’s more pressing needs at this time. To give quickly and easily, you may give on-line through the link on this page, or if you wish to discuss a gift or a particular program need, you may contact the School’s Director of Development Lamar Noriega at 305-284-1563 or via .

Current School Needs

Architecture Library

The University’s architecture collection is housed in two locations, Otto G. Richter Library and the School of Architecture library. The School’s Library facility allows students and faculty use of a limited collection in the classroom and studio. A new 10,000-square-foot building is being planned to bring the Richter collection to the School of Architecture and to combine both collections with the School’s computing facilities as an integrated library and learning center.

Design/Build Studio

A gift to the Design Build Studio will enable faculty to provide students with significant hands on experience in designing, permitting, and constructing architecture. Exposing students to the realities of building in south Florida will better prepare them for the professional world they are about to enter. The Design/Build Studio exposes students to a number of important learning experiences such as: public and private project negotiation, effective techniques for project presentation, cost-estimating, sustainable design, project mobilization, safe building practices, the importance of craft in design, and how collaboration improves the quality of design and construction.

Real Estate Program

The School’s new Real Estate Development and Urbanism program is being developed to expand the School’s influence, enhance the quality of the built environment through education and to promote successful professional practice in the real estate industry. This interdisciplinary program will provide students and mid career professionals an opportunity to sharpen their skills, learn new ones and gain the knowledge required to meet the challenges of working in the real estate industry. A gift to the Real Estate Development and Urbanism program will add to the program by enabling new faculty positions.

Center for Urban and Community Design

The Center for Urban and Community Design coordinates the School’s outreach to the regional community. The CUCD was established in 1992 with a multiple project effort to guide rebuilding in South Miami Dade following Hurricane Andrew. More recently, the Center implemented a design build program for affordable housing in Coconut Grove. Support for this program will enable expansion of the School’s outreach to the community, and ensure that a hands-on experience with building continues to be available for our students.

Rome Program

The Rome Program provides the opportunity for students to live and study in Rome for one academic semester. The program, run by School faculty, engages European architects and introduces students to the roots of western civilization in antiquity as well as to the contemporary culture evolving in Rome’s historic setting. Each student must assume the additional expenses of travel and living abroad. Support for this program will allow more deserving students to experience studying in Rome.

Visiting Critics and Exhibitions

With the completion of the new Jorge M. Perez Architecture Center, the School has experienced increased attendance at lectures and exhibition openings. Visiting speakers complement the classroom encounter and offer opportunities for the greater community to hear from the world’s foremost experts in the field of architecture and community design. A gift to support the lecture and exhibition series will provide students, faculty and the local community with enhanced opportunities for learning and dialogue.

New Urbanism Archive

The New Urbanism Archive is a collection of materials documenting the beginnings and evolution of the New Urbanism movement. The School is actively reaching out to sources for materials to develop the collection as a long term resource for the movement and as a resource for future study of architectural history. A gift to support the New Urbanism Archive will help the University of Miami expand and digitize the collection for broader accessibility.

Scholarships

Financial assistance is crucial for sustaining a highly talented and diverse student body at the School of Architecture. One time gifts to selected students and endowed scholarship funds serve students whose ambitions outstrip their resources; scholarship gifts are especially useful to help students nearing completion of the rigorous regimen of the professional degree. Give securely online to the School of Architecture.

Ways to Give

Outright Gifts

Outright gifts, including cash, securities and other property, provide the School of Architecture with the financial assistance to meet its most pressing needs. To make an outright gift, call Lamar Noriega at (305) 284-1563. Remember, you can give securely online to the School of Architecture.

Retained Interest

Your gift to the School of Architecture can do double-duty by providing the School with much-needed funds while also allowing you to hold an interest in that gift. For example, you can set up a charitable trust that provides you with income from that trust either for life or for a specified number of years. For further information about setting up a charitable trust, call Lamar Noriega at (305) 284-1563.

Unrestricted Gifts

Unrestricted gifts allow the School of Architecture to meet its most urgent needs, while also providing the flexibility necessary to support the School as its needs change. Your donation to the Annual Fund is an example of an unrestricted gift. To make an unrestricted gift, call Lamar Noriega at (305)284-1563 or give securely online to the School of Architecture.

Endowed Gifts

An endowment is a permanent legacy reflecting a donor’s generosity. It’s a gift that continues to give. For more information, please call Lamar Noriega at (305) 284-1563 or visit MyUm Endowments.

Gifts of Securities

A gift of securities to the School of Architecture might take the form of shares of corporate stock or mutual funds, stock options, bonds, or other types of securities. With a gift of securities you may enjoy tax savings. For further information about making a gift of securities, call Lamar Noriega at (305)284-1563.

Matching Gifts

Double or triple your investment in the School of Architecture by asking your company to participate in a matching program. Many corporations have already demonstrated their support for UM by matching, or multiplying, their employees’ gifts up to a set amount. Call your personnel office today to find out whether your company will match your gift.

Gifts-in-Kind

Do you have art, equipment, rare books, or other possessions that could be put to good use by the School of Architecture? To determine the School’s interest in the object you would like to give, please call Lamar Noriega at (305) 284-1563.

Planned Gifts

Planned gifts to the School of Architecture may provide lifetime income to the college while also affording specific tax advantages to the donor. For further information about making a planned gift or bequest to the School of Architecture, call Lamar Noriega at (305) 284-1563 or visit MyUM Gift Planning.

For additional information about gifts to the School of Architecture, contact:
Lamar Noriega
Director of Development
School of Architecture
305-284-1563