Anna Koosmann and Estudio Damgo Program Receives U.S. National Award

 
Architect Anna Koosmann and Foundation University, received a U.S. national award from the Environmental Design Research Association (EDRA) in 2018 for the research on the Estudio Damgo design-build program. Koosmann used her Fulbright research grant to evaluate the first three Filipino bamboo projects: a rural classroom, a multipurpose hall, and a floating guardhouse. The post-occupancy research conducted on the buildings, as well as input from beneficiary interviews, steered future design-build projects, by guiding Filipino instructors and institutionalizing the design-build program for lasting success. Koosmann worked alongside the University's Research Director, Geraldine Quinones, Architecture department heads, and Estudio Damgo students for five months of field research, earning a national EDRA Core award. Koosmann presented the research findings and accepted the award at the 49th EDRA conference in Oklahoma City, U.S.  View the entire document, 

"Estudio Damgo: Evaluating the Impact of the First, Filipino Design-Build University Program", at https://www.edra.org/page/2018_core_recipients

Excerpt from the EDRA core research document.

Excerpt from the EDRA core research document.

Excerpt from the EDRA core research document.

Signing Agreements between Core Shelter Community and the City of Dumaguete at the official turn-over for the Multipurpose Hall 2015. Pictured Left to Right: Dean Sinco, Johna David, Anna Koosmann, William Ablong, Orlando E. Enquig, and Core Shelter residents.

Pagka-pinay "being Filipino" at Global M.A.D.E Gallery 120

Pagka-pinay series: Saging (banana) and Balloon series paintings beyond

It was a cold and brisk evening for May during Artful Friday's opening at Global M.A.D.E Gallery 120 in River Falls, Wisconsin last Friday.  We all managed to warm up inside among the colorful display of artworks created by local artists in the St. Croix river valley.  I was one of five local artists to exhibit the architecture work and paintings created in the Philippines.  It was great to see the works up on the wall and share the adventures with everyone who came to the opening.  I was reconnected with so many faces from my childhood that night, and many new faces from the local community.  Artworks are up and for sale through May 31, 2016.  Get down to Global M.A.D.E if you haven't, it's a fun store to check out all the fair trade arts and crafts from around the globe.

Pagka-pinay paintings are Koosmann's visual story as a foreigner living and working abroad for nearly two years in the Philippines (2012-14).  The term pagka-pinay means "being Filipino". The series has been exhibited in galleries around the Philippines, including Eve Ensler's The Vagina Monologues V-day event and art exhibit entitled, Herstory, on February 14, 2014.

Balloon paintings are meditations in art making which unveil layers of colors and shapes by removing paint from the canvas.  Debuted at Qube Gallery Cebu, Philippines for the Mientras Tanto, or "in the mean time", group exhibit September 2013.

Pagka-pinay paintings displayed among Estudio Damgo architecture photographs highlighting four community projects in the Philippines.

Balloon series displayed brilliantly on a complimentary orange wall at Global M.A.D.E. Gallery 120 River Falls, WI.

It was nice to have friends and family show up for the event.

And to meet new faces to hear about their adventures in the Philippines.

In the news - "...Koosmann's Philippines community-architecture odyssey"

Featured on the front page of Hudson's Star-Observer Feb. 18, 2016, article by Chuck Nowlen

 R E A D the A R T I C L E

Walking into Hudson's butcher shop today to pick up this week's Star-Observer, I was surprised to find my face, in color on the front page.  I chuckled to myself as I tucked it under my arm, and strolled over to RJ's meat counter for tonight's dinner.   In that moment, I felt familiarly at home standing in front of the glass display and looking at the meat selection, in the same family-owned butcher shop I knew as a kid, when Hudson was still a small river town surrounded by farmland.

I enjoyed sitting with the journalist last week to share my experiences.  Chuck Nowlen wrote the feature playing on the adventurous title and relating it to Homer's Odyssey.  Reading the article and reflecting on my time in the Philippines, it was like being on my own odyssey, lured by a Siren's song, staying on longer in Dumaguete City, Philippines and the Estudio Damgo program than originally planned.   The Philippines is just one chapter in community architecture and public interest design.  I think about all the places that led to this international experience.  Starting in Milwaukee's architecture program and volunteering for Habitat's 10-day Collegiate Challenge for Pueblo adobe homes in Taos NM.  Moving onto the "White City" and impassioned by Chicago's flamenco scene.  Then, out West for grad school and awakening my spirit in Yakima's central valley tribal nations and Seattle's Tent City encampments.  I've moved residencies at least 18 times since high school.  But just as Homer's protagonist makes his epic journey, eventually Odysseus does find his way home.  Now, After 18 years and many adventures to exotic landscapes, I find myself nestled in the St. Croix river valley at the head waters from where it all started. I'm back home - for now.

The Star-Observer's feature article continue, by Chuck Nowlen.

In the news - "Sustaining Communities Through Design-Build Educatioin"

Receiving my Fulbright certificate at the Philippine-American Educational Foundation holiday party December 17, 2015. - Photo courtesy of Hersley-Ven Casero

Fulbright Facebook Page

 

Teaching in the Philippines

As a Fulbright Scholar I returned to the Philippines last August 2015 for five months to conduct research and post-occupancy evaluations on the first, three community projects built by Foundation University Estudio Damgo architecture students.  Using the research, I organized an advisory committee to institutionalize the program to ensure its success.  Read about my experiences as a Fulbright Scholar in Dumaguete City's Metropost feature article "Sustaining Communities Through Design-Build Education".  

Working with the community to finalize owner agreements and conduct post-occupancy evaluations.  Pictured from left to right: Johna David president of Core Shelter, Orlando Enquig barangay captain, Geraldine Quinones Foundation University director of research and community outreach, and Anna Koosmann consulting architect Fulbright Scholar - Photo courtesy of barangay member

Conducting a meeting with the current Estudio Damgo student architects.  This is the fourth project for the design-build studio.  Pictured back left to right: Paul Marin consulting instructor, Jeff Ponce student, Zorich Guia architect of record and instructor, Kerr Bambo student, Kevin Silorio student | front left to right: Anna Koosmann consulting architect and Fulbright Scholar, Harriette Abilla student, Vince Villaruz student, Michael Libertario student, Jude Valencia student

W A T C H the V I D E O

L I K E our F A C E B O O K 

Panaghiusa Multipurpose Hall: Photo Courtesy Hersley-Ven Casero at Foundation University ©2014