Research
The Texas A&M College of Architecture is a hub of critical research in fields that impact the built, natural and virtual environments.
The Texas A&M College of Architecture is a hub of critical research in fields that impact the built, natural and virtual environments.
Our scholars seek answers to important questions in studies that are funded from many sources, from the National Science Foundation to the researcher’s respective department.
A Wide Range of Research
In recent years, College of Architecture researchers have studied:
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- The emerging field of artificial intelligence and the impact it has on the built environment
- How to reduce climate change by lowering the amount of energy in buildings’ daily use and construction
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- How volunteer groups use social media to rescue people during natural disasters
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- How virtual reality training can aid construction site worker safety
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- The effects of daylight on healthcare facility workers and the care they provide
Researchers also engage in projects with colleagues in different fields at Texas A&M or institutions around the world. Such multidisciplinary collaborations provide innovative approaches and solutions to pressing contemporary issues.
By the Numbers
Research Expenditures
Faculty Awards
Faculty Funded Projects
A few of our recent projects include:
13 Professors | 11 Associate Professors | 17 Assistant Professors
The College’s Research Centers
The college’s commitment to research is reflected in its five research centers, each with a multidisciplinary roster of research fellows:- Center for Health Systems and Design
The mission of the Center for Health Systems & Design (CHSD) is to improve the health of the people of the world by design through the education and training of both design professionals and design students to appreciate that every project impacts the health of the people who use it, and that research improves design.
- Center for Heritage Conservation
The Center for Heritage Conservation (CHC) supports research on planned and built environments, placing particular emphasis on heritage conservation and historic preservation.
- Center for Housing & Urban Development
The Center for Housing and Urban Development’s (CHUD) mission is to provide leadership as a center of inquiry for the creation of sustainable housing and communities.
- Center for Geospatial Sciences, Applications and Technology
The Center for Geospatial Sciences, Applications and Technology advances its mission of human-centered, collaborative geospatial innovation by bringing world-class geographic information science directly to the communities that stand to benefit most from it.
- Learn About the CRS Center
The CRS Center at Texas A&M University’s College of Architecture focuses on enhancing business practices and management in the design, construction, and planning industries to facilitate and promote interaction among academia, industry, and the community through funded projects, scholarly activities, and sponsored initiatives.
- Hazard Reduction & Recovery Center
The Hazard Reduction & Recovery Center (HRRC) brings together scholars, students, practitioners, and community members for research and educational opportunities that foster disaster-resilient built, social, and natural environments.
- Texas Target Communities
The mission of Texas Target Communities is to facilitate the transformation of communities from high-risk (or low opportunity) to equitable, resilient, and adaptive by mitigating threats to the economy, environment, and culture.
Interdisciplinary Research Highlights
Researchers across Texas A&M University’s College of Architecture are leading more than $12.2 million in interdisciplinary grant funding to address critical issues in environmental health, urban heat risks, Hispanic housing equity and artificial intelligence in education. Supported by federal agencies including the National Science Foundation, the National Institutes of Health and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, these initiatives advance community-focused solutions in Texas and nationwide.
Texas A&M Center for Environmental Research (TiCER)
Galen Newman leads the Community Engagement Core of the Texas A&M Center for Environmental Research (TiCER). This $7.6 million grant from the National Science Foundation has expanded expertise in cross-cutting environmental health science research to increase its impact in Texas and beyond.
Heat-related health risk assessment and mitigation for aging populations in public housing: A community-individual environment-health nexus
Dongying Li leads this $2,668,886 grant from the National Institute of Minority Health and Health Disparities to examine how urban green infrastructure can influence heat exposure and health through micrometeorological, emotional, cognitive, and social pathways among older adults in public housing.
Center for Hispanic Housing Studies, Center for Research Excellence for Hispanic Serving Institutions
Shannon Van Zandt leads the Center of Excellence in Hispanic Housing Studies initiative to improve the housing, health, and economic outcomes of Hispanic communities. Through the Center for Housing and Urban Development, the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development granted $1,800,000 to support and develop more balanced, forward-looking housing policies.
Collaborative Research: Empowering STEM Education by Creating Benchmarking Models for Generative Artificial Intelligence Learning
Namgyun Kim leads this $227,419 grant from the National Science Foundation to create generative artificial intelligence learning assistants tailored to architecture, engineering, and construction education, thereby helping students develop independent problem-solving skills.
Aggie Design & Discovery Initiative (ADDI)
Discover what to expect as an undergraduate researcher with the Aggie Design & Discovery Initiative (ADDI). Learn about mentorship, professional expectations and the skills you will gain while contributing to real-world research projects at the Texas A&M College of Architecture.
Connect with our resources:
College of Architecture Showcase
The College of Architecture Showcase brings together students, faculty, alumni and industry leaders to highlight academic excellence and creative innovation across design, planning and construction disciplines. The event provides a platform for students to present studio projects, research initiatives and technical portfolios to prospective employers and professional practice leaders.
At the daylong, fast-paced event, faculty and students present a wide array of research that displays the remarkable variety of research topics studied by college scholars. Classes at the college are canceled so students can learn their professors’ study interests and underscore the importance of research.
Showcase 2026
The event features opportunities that directly support academic programming, student awards and career development initiatives across the college.
Find Out About the Event