Residential and commercial architect Marcus Cross M. Arch ‘05 has been promoted to assistant clinical professor by the University of Maryland’s Architecture Program. A longtime collaborator of the program and Master of Architecture alum, Cross will continue to bring his expertise to a variety of design studios for undergraduate students and thesis mentoring to graduate students in his new position.
“Marcus is an extraordinary teacher and mentor to the students in our program,” said Architecture Director and Professor Mohammad Gharipour. “He is passionate about good design and brings a collaborative approach, novel project experiences and enthusiasm to each of his classes.”
Cross has been a practicing architect for over 20 years, specializing in sustainable, human-centered design ranging from new construction to additions to adaptive reuse. His teaching approach exposes students to a variety of project challenges that require a people-first design process. In his undergraduate studios, students have designed for individuals on the autism spectrum and other health-related challenges to understand how different groups experience and navigate public space. He also emphasizes the importance of exterior and interior connections, and how nature can play a role in good design.
“Marcus goes to great lengths to make students understand the connection between the built environment and human experience, and how different people experience spaces in different ways,” said Architecture Assistant Director Brittany Williams. “He brings a very empathetic design process to his teaching.”
Read more about Marcus in his bio.