Profile

Background

Montreal native Henri T. de Hahn moved with his family to Vienna, Austria at a young age, and at nine to Switzerland. After graduating from the College St-Michel in Fribourg with a B.S., de Hahn was trained as an architect at the Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, completing an M.Arch in 1985. He studied under distinguished faculty member Robert Slutzky and completed his thesis under Pierre von Meiss. During his studies he interned for a year with Atelier Cube in Lausanne, Switzerland, and attended his fifth year at The Institute for Architecture and Urban Studies (I.A.U.S) in New York City under the tutelage of George Ranalli, Diana Agrest and Anthony Vidler. Upon completion of his degree, de Hahn studied a year at The Cooper Union under Raimund Abraham, and interned at a New York firm working on a number of renovation projects.

University of Kentucky

In 1987, de Hahn was invited by Dean Anthony Eardley to join the faculty as a lecturer and later became an Assistant and Associate Professor at the College of Architecture, University of Kentucky. Between 1993-96 he taught in Switzerland in the Architecture Department at the ETH-Zürich, and at the Art Center in Vevey while working with the architectural firm Musy et Vallotton Architectes in Lausanne. After his return to the United States, he focused his teaching and research agenda on an interdisciplinary approach to problem solving strategies between the departments of architecture, historic preservation, interior design, and landscape architecture. During his nineteen years at Kentucky, he held several administrative positions and completed a number of architectural projects under his firm Atelier de Hahn in conjunction with his wife Tracee de Hahn.

Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, CA

In August 2006, de Hahn was appointed Department Head and Professor of the  Architecture Department of the College of Architecture and Environmental Design (CAED) at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, CA. Under his leadership, the Department advanced the core curriculum, expanded the interdisciplinary approach to design; diversified its off-campus programs, including international exchange programs, professional and co-op studios; established a robust publication series; and developed a number of strategies pertaining to a culture of giving among alumni and industry partners.

The NewSchool, San Diego, CA

At the end of 2012 de Hahn was appointed Provost at NewSchool of Architecture + Design (NSAD)  in San Diego, CA. As the Chief Academic Officer, de Hahn was responsible for program planning and development, assessment of student learning, three re-accreditation and one new accreditation, and overall academic leadership. As a member of the President’s Executive Committee, he worked collaboratively to ensure the advancement and strength of the entire institution. De Hahn was responsible for leading and supporting the faculty in their development of a curriculum of excellence and the creation of a dynamic learning community that addresses students’ diverse needs.

De Hahn advanced the global design mission -one of his passions; development curricula initiatives that bridged all disciplines; developed policies for the institution; oversaw the launching of several new programs (interior design, product design, game art, game programming and animation -in addition to the architecture, construction management, and digital media arts); and balanced enrollment, curriculum, and fiduciary accountability.

De Hahn continued a career-long commitment to increasing students’ preparedness in understanding design thinking and design research issues. At the forefront of this mission was to enable students to apply and integrate creatively whole-systems thinking principles to real-life situations.

During his tenure, NSAD was re-accredited by the Accrediting Council For Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS), and received a five-year initial accreditation by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) Senior College and University Commission.

Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA

In July 2014, de Hahn joined Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, VA to serve as Director of the School of Architecture + Design (A+D), which includes four nationally ranked design programs: architecture, landscape architecture, interior design, and industrial design -all knowledge-based disciplines that were part of de Hahn’s own educational training, faculty teaching and leadership roles.

Following the successes in student recruitment at de Hahn’s previous institutions, he worked closely with VT’s Undergraduate Admissions Office to streamline and enhance recruitment and admission policies to secure a more diverse student body that reflects the aspirations of a new, eager, diverse and talented generation of students. This was part of a larger strategy to position the school  as a leader in educating a new generation of community leaders and advocates for a healthier and more sustainable environment.

De Hahn expanded the role of the director of A+D to engage directly with alumni through regular local and national social event. This was part of his belief –and past successes – in the need for advancement efforts to be ever present to secure funding to enhance student and faculty opportunities. Parallel to these efforts, a substantial increase in interest by professional firms boosted the yearly Career Fair and expanded opportunities from national offices interested in the program. In 2016, the school received re-accreditation of the Landscape Architecture Program while increasing the prestige of the Interior Design, Landscape Architecture, and Architecture (moving from fourth in 2015 to third in 2016) programs within the DesignIntelligence rankings.

In June 2016, de Hahn returned to full-time teaching with an emphasis on second year design studio and upper year and graduate seminars. He continues to develop new classes in conjunction with his cross disciplinary research agenda of topics ranging from the history of construction, the essays of Vittorio Gregotti, the unbuilt projects of Venice from Canaletto to Aldo Rossi, and a comparison between the Athens Charter (1933 demanding new urban strategies) and the Venice Charter (1964 for the Conservation and Restoration of Monuments and Sites).  As part of the new university initiative “Pathway to General Education Curriculum,” de Hahn is creating a seminar that draws on three disciplines: art, architecture, and structural engineering and an on-line class: a thematic journey in city planning. In addition, de Hahn has introduced off-campus opportunities for VT students in the Pacific Rim (Hong Kong) and India.

An architect in Switzerland, de Hahn is a member of REG A, and the US International Associate AIA, and numerous professional societies both in Europe and America.

Contact
Email: hdehahn@vt.edu

Registration
Architect, State of Vaud, Switzerland, 1985

Memberships
International Associate AIA 2010-present
National Trust for Historic Preservation, Member 1996-present
The Swiss Society of Engineers and Architects (SIA) 1985-2016
Vernacular Architectural Forum (VAF) 2000-present