Renowned D.C. Architect Michael Marshall Joins UMD Architecture Program as 2018 Kea Professor

May 29, 2019 / Updated Aug 23, 2019

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Michael Marshall
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UDC student center
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UDC student center
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Entertainment Sports Arena, DC
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Entertainment Sports Arena, DC
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BMW of Rockville
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BMW of Rockville

The University of Maryland’s School of Architecture, Planning & Preservation has appointed Michael Marshall, AIA, NOMA, NCARB, as the 2018 Kea Distinguished Professor in Architecture. Mr. Marshall will join the teaching team for the award-winning ARCH600/611 Integrated Design Studio/Advanced Technology Seminar during the fall 2018 semester.

Mr. Marshall completed his undergraduate degree at The Catholic University and his Master of Architecture at Yale University. While at Yale, his design professors were Frank Gehry and the British architect, Sir James Stirling. As Design Director and Principal of Michael Marshall Design, Mr. Marshall’s design sense and artistic perspective is integrated into each of the firm’s projects. He leads each project in design excellence and manages every stage of the firm’s architectural designs with a keen sensitivity to context, environment and historic preservation. Throughout his over 30-year career, he has built an extensive portfolio, served on numerous design panels for influential organizations and has been recognized with international, national and local design excellence awards from The American Institute of Architects (National and D.C. Chapters), National Organization of Minority Architects (NOMA), International Design Awards (IDA), and the National Housing and Rehabilitation Association. 

Some of Mr. Marshall’s architectural projects have significantly transformed the urban landscape of Washington, D.C., most notably the University of the District of Columbia’s Van Ness Campus. Since opening its doors in the 1970s, the campus has been viewed as a heavy-handed “brutalist” intervention into that Washington neighborhood. Between 2011 and 2015, Mr. Marshall led a team (MMD was Associate Architect, with CannonDesign as Architect of Record) to re-design the public face of that campus by proposing a new 80,000 square foot Student Center that re-engages the neighborhood, creates much-needed student space, and presents a compelling frontispiece to the campus. Mr. Marshall’s 105,000 square foot City Vista project in the Mount Vernon Triangle area of Washington, D.C., a collaboration with Torti Gallas Architects, has brought life back to this portion of the city that has laid fallow since the riots following Martin Luther King’s assassination in 1968. Several of Mr. Marshall’s projects have been proposed to transform the Florida Avenue corridor and Meridian Hill areas of Washington, D.C.  Mr. Marshall’s firm is also currently working on the Entertainment and Sports Arena (scheduled to open September 2018) on the historic St. Elizabeth's campus in Southeast.

“As a student, I found it incredibly inspirational to learn from, and engage with, practicing architects who brought real-world insight into the classroom. I am honored to collaborate with Professor Kelly and his colleagues and look forward to working with the architecture students at the University of Maryland’s distinguished School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation,” said Marshall.

Paul Kea and his wife Grace established the Kea Distinguished Professorship in Architecture in 1967. The Kea Distinguished Professorship has played an important part of the life of the School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation by recognizing eminent practitioners and scholars.  According to the original agreement, the Kea Distinguished Professor is to be recommended by the Dean and approved by the Vice President for Academic Affairs and President of the University.  Historically those appointed to the Kea Distinguished Professorship have been notable individuals outside the campus community.