Iceland, Rotch Studio 2010
Can you explain what the time limit is for the use of the Rotch
Studio Travelling Studio Scholarship if an award is made? For
example, can the funds be used for a travelling studio during the
next fall term, or do you require it to be used before the end of
spring semester?
Travel for the Rotch studio must be completed by the end of a
calendar year.
How many submissions have you received in the past years?
We receive anywhere from 14-25 application
Is it possible to describe some unique aspects of our NAAB
accredited program which without naming it? i.e. - School X is the
only publicly funded architecture school in State X and so this
funding will provide our students with an opportunity that they
may not otherwise get? Is this something I can include in the
application without naming the school explicitly?
Please state something less geographically specific, eg: Our school
is the only publicly funded architecture school in our geographic
region and so this funding will provide our students with an
opportunity that they may not otherwise get.
In the past, our school has conducted an abroad based capstone
field trip for a week-10 days at the end of the spring semester.
Does this meet the criteria for the grant, or should the entire
semester be conducted abroad?
The Rotch Studio stipend is meant to fund travel abroad for just a
short period, such as a week to 10 days, not the whole semester.
There is a preference, however, for the travel to occur before or
during the semester so it will be more integral to the students’
design thinking.
I notice that your fellowship stipulates design studios as the
usual recipients. Is there any possibility that your fellowship
would fund a seminar that is an in-depth course on the
contemporary architecture of London? The course is a graduate
seminar, examining in particular the trajectory of the
avante-garde of London in the 1960's as it developed into
contemporary "Hi-Tech" architecture. While the product of the
seminar is usually a written paper, I am usually open to having
the students design and produce "events"—i.e. happenings as
their final work.
The Rotch Studio is targeted specifically for design studios only.
I understand that the application should not identify me in any
way, but what about the page that describes the faculty
applicant's background? Is that supposed to have my name on
it?
You may use specific information for your background except for your
name.
I and another professor conduct an urban design international
collaborative cross cultural and cross discipline studio joint
between Clemson university department of Landsape Architecture in
south Carolina and Ain Shams Univerity department of Architecture
in Cairo Egypt. Every spring we work on an international site that
requires the two teams travel to do the field inventory and
analysis work. Do you think our joint studio qualify for applying
for the Rotch grant?
The Rotch Studio stipend could be used only for the travel of the
American architecture program. This does not preclude working with
other architecture schools.
Regarding the request for the applicant's background, other than
withholding the individual's name, can applicants list specific
credentials such as degrees and schools attended, previous
teaching positions, and/or places of employment? Where should
applicants be generic in their descriptions, and where might they
list specific institutions?
Yes, you may use specific information except for your name.
I am writing to ask if a non American-citizen professor who
teaches at an accredited school is eligible to apply for the Rotch
Traveling Studio Grant?
Yes, a non-American professor from an accredited American
architecture school can apply.
Are faculty who are currently teaching in NAAB-accredited schools
that are in candidacy status eligible to apply for the Rotch
Studio?
No, schools must be already accredited.
Are Canadian schools of architecture eligible to apply for the
Rotch Studio grant?
No, only schools from the U.S.
In addition to the requested application materials, may I include
additional support letters from potential collaborators, such as
universities in the destination country?
No additional material will be accepted. You may, however, refer to
potential partners in your proposal.
I know the application needs to be blind, but what about the
letter of support?
The letter of support may be on letterhead and can identify the
author.
Can images be included in the application?
Yes! Just be sure your application does not exceed the required
number of pages.
For a co-taught studio, should both names appear on the
application?
There should be just one contact person.
Will you consider non-architecture studio proposals?
No, but we will consider grant proposals about landscape
architecture and architectural interiors provided they focus on the
built form.
Are multiple applications from a single school
acceptable?
Yes.
May a single faculty member submit two applications for two
separate studios?
No.
How long is most travel abroad?
Generally two weeks, but it varies. The Rotch Committee and the
Rotch Board of Trustees will assess health and safety concerns
related to travel and for the recipients.
Is there a set limit for how much overhead may be charged to the
grant?
The Rotch Studio does not allow overhead to be charged for the
grant.
Who are this year’s jurors?
We do not announce jurors in advance of the applications.