University of Sydney appoints new head of architecture

Deborah Ascher Barnstone has been appointed new head of discipline for architecture at the Sydney School of Architecture, Design and Planning.

Ascher Barnstone was previously head of school of architecture at University of Technology Sydney. She also held academic positions at Washington State University, Ball State University, Fachhochschule Cologne, and the Boston Architectural Center.

She holds a PhD in architectural history from TU Delft, a master of architecture from Columbia University, and a B.A. (cum laude) from Barnard College. Her research interests include early modernism and twentieth-century German and Dutch art and architecture.

As principal of Ascher Barnstone Architects, Ascher Barnstone explores climate-resilient and sustainable methodologies, including bushfire-resistant architecture on the NSW South Coast.

"Professor Ascher Barnstone brings to the University of Sydney a wealth of expertise that will be invaluable to our faculty and students," said University of Sydney dean of architecture Robyn Dowling. "Her extensive experience in both academia and practice will help us to continue to deliver world-class architectural education and research."

Ascher Barnstone said, "There were several things that attracted me to the Sydney School of Architecture, Design and Planning: the excellent quality of the university and its programs; the storied history as the first university and first architecture program in Australia; and the amazing colleagues in the School.

"I am excited to become part of the first-class intellectual environment at Sydney; to become part of a university that values robust scholarly debates and original and creative thinking and aspires to be world class in every endeavour."