Lang presents his students’ efforts in colonia to L.A. design gathering

Peter Lang, associate professor of architecture, discussed his Texas A&M border studio initiatives in the Los Lomas colonia at the June 24-26 Dwell on Design conference in Los Angeles — one of the biggest annual design events on the West Coast. Lang's students developed survival strategies for people with very limited resources and partnered with Los Lomas residents to improve the border community.

The Dwell on Design [conference] (http://dod.dwell.com/) , curated by the editors of [Dwell Magazine] (http://www.dwell.com/) , featured more than 70 presentations and 300 exhibitors from around the world; it included Lang’s [session] (http://architectureforhumanity.org/updates/2011-07-01-traveling-design-open-mic-regeneration-takes-the-stage) , at which six presenters were chosen from a bevy of applicants to showcase projects organizers deemed “provocative takes on what design can do to better the world.”

Lang's students's "survival objects" included durable shoes crafted from duct tape; a fire-starting technique involving a soda can, a 9-volt battery and a brillo pad; a sanitizer made from a pizza box, foil and a black tray; a wheelchair made of pieces of a shopping cart, chair, a bicycle or other devices; and more.

He spoke at a conference session sponsored by [Architecture for Humanity] (http://architectureforhumanity.org/updates/2011-07-01-traveling-design-open-mic-regeneration-takes-the-stage) , a nonprofit design services firm looking to build a more sustainable future through professional design.

Learn more about Lang’s studio in an [article and video] (http://archone.tamu.edu/college/news/newsletters/spring2011/stories/colinas_improvement.html) on the archone. website.