Prime Highlights
- Collins said the event boosted KSU’s international visibility while advancing research on locally driven design solutions.
- Dean Rashed-Ali called the conference proof of KSU’s rising global prominence and far-reaching impact.
Key Facts
- ARCC and EAAE together represent nearly 250 member institutions across North America and Europe.
- KSU will co-host the 116th ACSA National Meeting with Georgia Tech, expecting 400+ global attendees.
Background
The Kennesaw State University Department of Architecture hosted more than 200 international researchers at the 2026 ARCC-EAAE International Conference which took place during the second week of April. The event ran across the Loews Atlanta Hotel and KSU’s Marietta Campus, centering on the theme “Local Solutions for Global Issues.”
The conference drew architectural educators, researchers, engineers, and construction professionals from 75 universities and five research organisations globally. Together, ARCC and EAAE represent nearly 250 member institutions across North America and Europe.
KSU faculty members Giovanni Loreto and Jeffrey Collins co-chaired the event. Loreto described the conference as a platform for peer-reviewed architectural research with a strong emphasis on methodological rigour and cross-institutional exchange. Collins said hosting the event gave KSU a valuable opportunity to raise its national and international profile while contributing to conversations around locally grounded research tackling global design challenges.
The programme included 137 peer-reviewed paper presentations, 29 poster presentations, two plenary sessions, four workshops, and three keynote addresses from leading scholars and practitioners across the US and Europe. Guided tours took attendees through Atlanta’s architectural landscape, covering the Atlanta Beltline and key Midtown landmarks, including the Woodruff Arts Center and Piedmont Park.
Department of Architecture chair Saif Haq received the 2025-2026 ARCC Mary Kihl Distinguished Service Award for his contributions as a board member and treasurer, recognising his role in strengthening the organisation’s operational efficiency.
College Dean Hazem Rashed-Ali called the conference a testament to KSU’s growing global reach. Looking ahead, KSU will co-host the 116th ACSA National Meeting alongside Georgia Tech, expecting over 400 attendees worldwide.
