Sources: Tim de Noble, 785-532-5950, tdenoble@k-state.edu;
and Matthew Knox, 785-532-5953, mknox@k-state.edu
News release prepared by: Emily Vietti, 785-532-1090, evietti@k-state.edu
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
New head of architecture a familiar face as Matthew Knox gets permanent nod after international search
MANHATTAN -- Sometimes the grass isn't greener on the other side of the fence.
After conducting an international search for its department head opening, current interim department head Matthew Knox, associate professor and a member of the American Institute of Architects, was selected to lead the Kansas State University architecture department into the future.
"Matt has been on a trajectory to be a superb leader for his colleagues for quite some time," said Tim de Noble, dean of the College of Architecture, Planning and Design. "His dedication to the department of architecture and to the college is evident in the excellent work he has done as a faculty member, while serving as interim department head and prior to that as an associate department head. Matt's leadership, evidenced through his willingness to build on the traditional strengths of the department, and his collaborative spirit will help us continue to craft a unique and potent course for professional design education at Kansas State University."
Knox has been on the architecture faculty for more than 20 years. He has a bachelor of architecture from Kansas State University and a master of architecture from the University of Virginia.
"I've worked with Matt Knox in his role as interim department head over the last year, and he has been fantastic to work with," said Rohn Grotenhuis of 360 Architects in Kansas City, Mo., chair of the department of architecture's professional advisory board. "He has already made some positive changes and has had great ideas. I'm happy we get to keep working with Matt. He has already shown that he has the potential to be an effective and innovative department head."
Prior to serving as interim department head, Knox was the associate department head. He is a licensed architect whose architectural design studio students have won multiple regional and national competitions. In addition to teaching studio, he has taught a wide range of courses, including building construction, architectural theory and digital applications in architecture. He also has taught in the College of Architecture, Planning and Design's Italian study program.
Knox's research is on using digital visualization tools, such as 3D modeling, animation and film techniques, to study the visual and perceptual relationships between architecture and landscape historically and in new projects. He has published papers and lectured widely about the work, and many of the films done in collaboration with his students have been shown at national and international animation conferences.
"I can't say enough what an honor it is to have this opportunity at the No. 5 graduate architecture program in the country," Knox said. "We have amazingly bright and hard-working students and a dedicated and passionate faculty in a dynamic and supportive interdisciplinary college. We are in a great position to continue improving our program, promoting mutual connections with the profession and engaging our students in service to the K-State community and beyond."
