Faculty Member
"Design with Beauty, Defend the Authentic, Build for Time, Inspire the Spirit"
Assistant Professor Brandon Ro, AIA, NCARB, ICAA is co-founder of the new professional degree in architecture at Utah Valley University (UVU) and has been instrumental in developing new curriculum for nearly half of the core coursework. He teaches architectural history and theory, three-dimensional representation, and traditional design. Under his mentorship multiple student design and research projects (+80) have been published, presented at conferences, featured in exhibitions, garnered industry recognition, received juried design awards, and been recognized by international and local news outlets. He serves on a number of committees supporting the broader architecture program that includes NAAB accreditation, program development, student awards and publications, marketing, and student advising for architect licensing among others.
As a strong advocate of improving the interconnectivity between architecture, culture, spirituality, ecology, and human experience, Professor Ro helps bridge the gap between theory and practice. He is a highly sought-after speaker and resource in architecture circles, having delivered keynote presentations, guest lectures, and speeches as well as served as a juror, guest critic, and reviewer at numerous institutions. His theoretical works and research have been published in Arquitecturas del Sur (Chile), Carbon-Neutral Architectural Design, IEEE, Architectural Research Centers Consortium, Spirituality in Architectural Education, Margenes Arquitectura (Spain), Ambiances Network (France), IN_BO (Italy), Environmental Design Research Association, Religions, Planning Practice & Research (UK), and in the Journal of Comparative Theology at Harvard Divinity School.
Professor Ro is an award-winning architect, educator, and researcher with over 20 years of AEC industry experience. His design and research projects have been published, presented, and exhibited nationally and abroad. He has a proven record of projects that have been recognized with numerous awards and honors (80+) from organizations such as Walt Disney Imagineering, U.S. Green Building Council, American Institute of Architects, Alliance to Save Energy, American Planning Association, and Designer's Lighting Forum among others. Over the years his design philosophy has been influenced by observing the built environment through a phenomenological lens on multiple continents and studying under internationally recognized architects, such as Juhani Pallasmaa and Alberto Campo Baeza. He received a post-professional Master of Architectural Studies degree from The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. and a professional Bachelor of Architecture degree from California State Polytechnic University Pomona.
Classical Architecture Workshop, Summer 2024
Architecture Studio IV, Spring 2024
Culture and Behavior in Architecture, Spring 2024
My conference paper titled, "Archaeoastronomy at the Byzantine Church Complex at Ḥorvat Beit Loya,” was nominated as one of 15 finalists for a best paper award at the 2024 Intermountain Engineering Technology Computing Conference.
The Dean's Award of Excellence for Scholarship recognizes faculty who make discipline-related contributions in scholarship and creative works, consistent with UVU’s role as a regional university.
My class titled ARC 1010_ Classical Architecture Workshop was selected as one of the top two courses within the Scott M. Smith College of Engineering & Technology for a Flexible Teaching Award for the best blended course design.
This faculty spot award was given by the Dean's office for my exemplary service rendered as the assistant program coordinator for the architecture program.
The Pinnacle Awards competition by the Natural Stone Institute are highly coveted awards which are given to projects whose beauty, creativity, ingenuity, and craftsmanship exemplify professional mastery in the use of natural stone in commercial and residential applications. My creative work as the project manager and project architect at VCBO Architecture for the Oklahoma City Temple received a Pinnacle Award of Excellence.
