Christopher Drew Armstrong

As director of Architectural Studies, Professor Armstrong fosters a close relationship between the Architectural Studies and Urban Studies programs. His main research focuses on French architecture and urbanism from the 17th to the 20th centuries, and he has taught a variety of undergraduate courses on the history of architecture and urbanism, including his popular summer study abroad course – Architecture & the City in Central Europe. Because of the pandemic his research has shifted to focus on local topics, building on a very early interest in North American campus planning that was his focus as an undergraduate architecture student and graduate student at the University of Toronto. Linking this new research to the Architectural Studies curriculum, he is now developing new courses that incorporate community engagement. His new Campus-Community Workshop will focus on the architecture and planning of the Oakland neighborhoods and Pitt campus and is intended to complement coursework in both Architectural Studies and Urban Studies. As a member of the national professional organization, the American Institute of Architects [AIA], Professor Armstrong is involved in monthly meetings of the Pittsburgh chapter of the AIA that focus on sustainability and environmental issues, and he maintains close contact with local professionals who work on Ecodistrict planning and transportation planning.