Faculty Directory

Robert Adams is Assistant Professor of Architecture at the University of Michigan, Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning where he teaches and coordinates graduate courses in design and construction. In 2005 Adams developed and directed TCAUP's first study abroad program in Beijing, P.R. China. Through this initiative in 2006 TCAUP became one of the founding member institutions at B.A.S.E., Beijing Architectural Studio Enterprise, A Global Partner Alliance Academy and Practice for the Furtherance of Architecture, Design, and Engineering Advancements and Dialogue. Adams holds a Master of Architecture degree from SCI-ARC, Southern California Institute of Architecture in Los Angeles, and Bachelor of Arts degree in Visual Arts from St. John's University. Prior to University of Michigan, Adams has held teaching appointments in architecture at the University of Minnesota, Otis College of Art and Design, and SCI-ARC in Los Angeles and its satellite program in Switzerland where he was the Vico Fellow from 1994 -1996.

Currently Adams' academic research interests and creative work focuses on contemporary forms of urbanism and architecture in the rapid urbanization in China and its effects on design, construction practices and material culture in the United States. Most recently Adams has presented work at Image Flux: China an international conference on digital media and image theory in Guangzhou, P.R. China; and organized a panel session, Double Export, for the 2006 American Studies conference in Oakland, CA. Adams has participated in exhibitions at the Barnsdall Art Park and Bradbury Building in Los Angeles; Centro Cultural Santo Domingo in Oaxaca, Mexico; Palazzo dei Congressi in Lugano, Switzerland; and the Walker Art Center in Minneapolis. Additionally, he is curating and organizing a series of events related to architecture and urbanism for the upcoming China In The World theme year at University of Michigan; and, is editor of the forthcoming book, Highway Space, an anthology of work investigating the informal micro-economies and resultant urbanisms of transportation infrastructure as it exists in the United States and in the emerging large scale highway projects in China.

Professionally Adams has worked for Studio Works and Richard Meier and Partners in Los Angeles, and Meyer, Scherer and Rockcastle Architects in Minneapolis where he was part of the design team for the Mill City Museum recognized with a 2005 National AIA Honor Award. In 1996 Adams started practicing with Dawn Gilpin, and together Adams + Gilpin have worked on a range of projects and creative endeavors, the most recent of which includes designing ZtA House, a project reconfiguring the status of accessibility within domesticity.