APLA Welcomes New Faculty Member David Shanks

Please give a warm welcome to Assistant Professor David Shanks! Shanks is joining the faculty of the School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape Architecture (APLA) this fall, where he will be teaching in the Architecture program. He holds a bachelor’s degree in urban design studies and economics from New York University and a Master of Architecture from Harvard’s Graduate School of Design.

Prior to joining the faculty at Auburn, Shanks taught for nine years at Syracuse University. He has worked for Gluckman Tang Architects in New York City and is the co-founder of ASDF Architecture, a firm specializing in design projects that serve the public interest, ranging from collaborations with local community organizations to international design competitions. His research focuses on design activism, community-engaged design, deep energy retrofit and high-performance building envelopes.

Shanks will be teaching fifth-year architecture studio and thesis. “I am looking forward to working with Auburn’s talented students and faculty and learning from the College of Architecture, Design and Construction’s great tradition of community-engaged design,” he stated.

“David’s professional experience and many years of teaching make him highly qualified to guide the next generation of architects, and we are happy that he is joining our faculty,” stated APLA School Head Justin Miller.