News

Wed, 04/08/2026 - 12:00

With its tree-lined sidewalks, carpet-like quads and manicured flowerbeds, the archetypical college campus isn’t thirsty for scenery. But its scenery is thirsty all the time, gulping millions of gallons of water a year to keep up appearances. A pitch for a modular vegetation wall that could keep universities (and other properties) lush through rain- and gray water harvesting, filtering and storage was one of two concepts to take the top prize this year at ArchiNova, the annual “Shark Tank”-style ideas competition for University of Maryland architecture students. 

Fri, 03/13/2026 - 12:00

A proposal for modular, living-learning “innovation villages” on the northeast corner of University of Maryland’s campus cemented a victory for two University of Maryland undergraduates in a national design contest. 

Wed, 02/18/2026 - 12:00

This article was originally published in Maryland Today. Written by Karen Shih ’09

Tue, 02/10/2026 - 12:00

Left-handed or particularly tall students at the University of Maryland who’ve taken a class in Reckord Armory’s lecture hall know how tough it is to find a decent seat, thanks to its low ceiling clearance and right-handed fold-out desks.But for students who are hearing-impaired, use a wheelchair or manage another challenge, the dimly lit, World War II-era auditorium presents more than an inconvenience; it could make or break whether they can hear the professor, see the mathematical formula on the board, or arrive at their next class on time.

Fri, 12/19/2025 - 12:00

When a procession of red ants made a run at the communion chalice during a balmy Sunday morning mass, Reverend Lauren Bloom knew she had a problem. The outdoor amphitheatre at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Eastport, Md.—a cherished spot for community festivals, support groups, and outdoor worship—had always been harmonious with its natural backdrop, a peaceful pocket on the church property frequented by animals and insects. But time, the elements (and in this case, the ants) were threatening that divine coexistence.

Fri, 12/19/2025 - 12:00

Abby Chi’s grandfather is such a fixture at his community pool that many of the children taking swim lessons alongside his daily laps know him by name: Mister Hi. But Mister Hi isn’t his actual name.“It’s because he always waves hi,” laughs Chi, who used the anecdote, and her tight-knit relationship with her two sets of grandparents, as inspiration for her thesis: An adaptive reuse project that’s one part wellness facility for seniors, one part daycare, creating intergenerational opportunities for connection, teaching and learning, and friendship.