Historically, research and creative practice have been constructed as “opposites.” This is not an unusual struggle in architecture schools, particularly in the context of a research university. This perceived tension between design and research is indicative of age-old anxieties within the architecture field to understand its nature as an “applied art.” Design can be a purely creative activity not unlike creative practices in music and art. In other cases, design can be a purely problem solving activity, not unlike research in engineering and industrial production.

In its sixth year, University of Michigan Taubman College’s Research Through Making (RTM) Program provides seed funding for faculty research, worked on by faculty, students and interdisciplinary experts. The exhibition presents tangible results of their collaborative work.

Research Through Making Installations:

• Drop Kick Push Pull

  Sean Vance – Assistant Professor, Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning

  Siyang Ziui Chen – Artist/Designer

  Rebecca Hasson – Assistant Professor, School of Kinesiology

• Electrofrost

  Meredith Miller – Assistant Professor, Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning

  Anya Sirota – Assistant Professor, Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning

  Patrick Beaucé – Associate Professor, École nationale supérieure d’art de Nancy

  Jean Louis Farges – Principal, Akoaki

• RoboPinch

  Karl Daubmann – Associate Professor, Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning

• Social Sensory Surfaces

  Sean Ahlquist – Assistant Professor, Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning

  Dr. David Chesney – Lecturer IV, College of Engineering

  Sile O’Modhrain – Associate Professor, School of Music, Theatre & Dance , School of Information

• Texture Tectonics

  Ellie Abrons – Assistant Professor, Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning

  Adam Fure – Assistant Professor, Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning