Keynote Speakers

April 10-12, 2014 Crossroads & Grassroots: The Intersection of Architecture and Engineering in Planning and Design Royal Sonesta Harbor Court Baltimore, Baltimore, MD

Click here to download Sean O'Donnell & Matthew Bell Keynote Speakers Abstract

Sean O'Donnell, AIA, LEED® AP

Sean O'Donnell has over 20 years' experience in the architecture field focused on the design of great learning environments. On projects ranging from the development of a program, the evaluation of an existing building, to the design of new campuses, he has worked to ensure that the learning environment is fully supportive of all of the users' physical, intellectual, social/emotional, organizational and technological needs. This work is a logical outgrowth of his research into the ability of environments to successfully accommodate diverse and changing user needs over time – research that was published in an award-winning monograph.

Sean is a recognized leader in educational facility planning and design. A member of the Board of Directors for the Collaborative for High Performance Schools (CHPS), he is committed to sustainable school design and has published and spoken internationally on the design of great places to learn. He founded and serves as the chair of the AIA/DC Committee on Architecture for Education and has served as a juror for the National School Board Association's "Learning by Design" awards; the Virginia School Board Association Design Awards, the Council of Educational Facilities Planners, International's National School Building Week and the Richard Riley Award. He has participated in forums with educators from across the nation organized by "Great Schools by Design," and written and been interviewed for articles including "Building as a Teaching Tool," Educational Facility Planner and "Schoolhouse of the Future,' Learning by Design, "The 21st Century School" Contract Magazine, "Building the Perfect School" American School Board Journal and "Place-Making" Learning by Design.

Matthew J. Bell, FAIA

Matthew Bell has been a practicing architect and professor of architecture for over 30 years. His national and international architectural and urban design experience ranges from small-scale buildings and studies for existing neighborhoods to the design and implementation of new towns, campuses and cities. As a principal of Perkins Eastman, one of America's leading design firms, and a full professor of architecture at the University of Maryland, Matt has an academic and professional work portfolio with national and international impact.

Mr. Bell's leadership and achievements have been recognized through local and national awards, including a 2007 AIA Honor Award in Urban Design. In addition to building industry awards, he has won or been a finalist in international urban design competitions. Matthew Bell's extraordinary efforts, notable achievements and insightful leadership in practice and teaching are significantly advancing the profession and elevating the quality of urban design and architecture.

The Effects of the Physical Environment on Learning and Behavior of Students in Schools PK-12+

Anne Taylor, Ph.D.

Anne Taylor, PhD is UNM Regents and Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture (ACSA) distinguished Professor Emerita at the School of Architecture and Planning, University of New Mexico. She is known internationally for her research on the effects of the physical environment on learning and behavior and how it affects teachers and students. She is the author of Linking Architecture and Education: Sustainable Design of Learning Environments (UNM Press 2009) and many articles on the same topic. Taylor is also the founder of the School Zone Institute and its Architecture and Children Around the World, a program that teaches math, science, history, ecology the arts and engineering to P/K-12 students through integrated design education. She is also known for her pioneering work in helping architects understand the developmental needs of students and pedagogy which has helped to create more magical learning environments. She is also the composer of a jazz waltz, A Prayer for Children, which honors children around the world, especially those who were killed in Newtown, Conn.