Office of External Communications

Houston, TX 77204-5017 Fax: 713.743.8199

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 6, 2005

Contact: Marisa Ramirez
713.743.8152 (office)
713.204.9798 (cell)
mrcannon@uh.edu

HOUSTON, Jan. 6, 2005—A plane bound for Thailand this Sunday will carry a University of Houston Gerald D. Hines College of Architecture professor and his dream of building shelters for tsunami-ravaged villagers. Bill Price will survey the damage and identify a village that he and his students can adopt.

“The idea is for our students to design three prototype shelters for the tsunami survivors and have them shipped over,” Price said. “I’ll return from Thailand in a week and have the plan firmed up for the class to consider.”

Price teaches 5th year Studio, an advanced design class. His students will create the shelter design as part of their class.

“The college believes in hands on design and this will most certainly be an example of that,” Price said. “We want our students to be aware of how their designs impact the community. We have a great opportunity to turn a learning experience into a humanitarian contribution.”

A College of Architecture student and Thai native will assist Price as he travels. Paramaphorn Phokaew, a graduate student, has a sister in Thailand who is assisting forensic teams identify tsunami victims. Price is also working with fellow UH professor, Peter Zweig. Houston area businesses are providing resources, though Price is looking for other donors to support material, machinery and shipping costs, as well as the cost of flights to and from the area.

“This is a tremendously important project,” Price said. “This is our way to help.”

For more information on the UH Gerald D. Hines College of Architecture, please visit www.arch.uh.edu.

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