Creative Research and Scholarship Award, Rusty Smith

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Rusty Smith is the associate director of the Auburn University Rural Studio and has taught at Auburn for 21 years. He is recognized for his leadership and involvement in this internationally recognized design-build architecture program, focused on providing affordable housing to underserved individuals in underdeveloped areas. Smith was educated first at Auburn University and then at The School of the Art Institute of Chicago. He is a nationally recognized teacher and scholar who prescribes to the philosophy that the best way to learn how to do something is to actually do it. He says that the opportunity to contribute to the work of Rural Studio is truly humbling. Through context-intensive work, students come to understand that design has profound social consequences. Development of know-how (the embodiment of knowledge through the act of making and building) becomes the unique characteristic that enables graduates to be socially engaged, active and impactful professionals. Smith’s research interests include practice-based teaching and learning and housing affordability.