In March 2020, the transformation was abrupt and sweeping. It was also imperfect. For most institutions of higher education – including the University at Buffalo and the Department of Architecture – faculty, staff, and students had one week to overhaul the norms, techniques, and tools of design education. It was particularly upending for a department largely defined by “hands-on” learning.

Documenting the work of our students in 2020, Intersight 23 captures the School of Architecture and Planning’s inspired response to an historic moment.

I write today to update you on our preparations for the fall 2020 semester as we work to implement university guidelines for a return to campus in a modified in-person capacity.

In recognition of Women's History Month, we're proud to celebrate the distinguished women of UB's School of Architecture and Planning and their boundary-breaking contributions to gender equity. Today we celebrate Carol Ramos-Gerena, a student in our urban planning PhD program with research interests in food systems planning, urban agroecology and food sovereignty.