Wanda Dalla Costa

Wanda Dalla Costa, AIA, LEED A.P. holds a joint position at The Design School and the School of Construction (Institute Professor and Associate Professor). She is a member of the Saddle Lake First Nation and has spent nearly 20 years working with Indigenous communities in North America. Dalla Costa teaches an interdisciplinary service learning studio at ASU, where students engage directly with local tribal communities. Her interests include community-driven design, Indigenous methodologies, Indigenous placemaking/placekeeping and the vernacular intelligence of regional architectures. She recently exhibited at 2018 Venice Biennale as part of a group of 18 Indigenous architects (Unceded / Team Canada). She holds a Master of Design Research (City Design) from the Southern California Institute of Architecture (SCI-Arc) and a Master of Architecture from the University of Calgary. Her company, Redquill Architecture www.RQarc.com is based in Phoenix, Arizona.

CV

2018.05 ASU WDalla Costa_CV_3pg.pdf

Education

Master's degree. Design Research (City Design, Planning and Policy), Southern California Institute of Architecture (SCI-Arc)
Master's degree. Architecture, University of Calgary
B.A. Sociology/Native Studies

http://www.rqarc.com

Research Interests

Indigenous placekeeping (urban and rural), Indigenous design engagement, climate resiliency & passive design in architecture, bioclimate principles derived from regional Indigenous architectural precedents.

Publications

Book Chapters
• Dalla Costa, W. (2018 in press). “Teaching Indigeneity in Architecture: Indigenous Placekeeping Framework.” In Kiddle, R., Stewart. L.P & O’Brien, K. (eds). Our Voices: Indigeneity and Architecture, ORO Editions, New York, NY, USA: 146-153.

• Dalla Costa, W. (2018 in press). “Metrics and margins: Envisioning frameworks in Indigenous architecture in Canada.” In Grant, E., Greenop, K. & Refiti, A. (eds). Handbook of Contemporary Indigenous Architecture. 2017, Springer International, The University of Adelaide, Sydney, Australia: xx-xx.
• Dalla Costa, W. (2016) “Contextualized Metrics and Narrating Binaries: Defining Place and Process in Indigenous North America,” A Conference paper presented at Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture (ACSA), 2016 International Conference. Santiago, Chile.

Refereed Conference Publications
• Dalla Costa W.(2017). “Housing Equity and Heat Vulnerability: A Case Study for Indigenous Design and Construction.” In: M. Young (ed.), AMPS Proceedings Series 9. Living and Sustainability: An Environmental Critique of Design and Building Practices, Locally and Globally. London South Bank University, London, 08 – 09 February, 2017. pp: 543-554.

Invited Peer-Reviewed Journal Publications

“Contextualized Metrics and Narrating Binaries: Defining Place and Process in Indigenous North America,” Conference Paper for Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture (ACSA), 2016 International Conference, Santiago, Chile.

Conference Proceeding
• Dalla Costa, W. (2016) “Contextualized Metrics and Narrating Binaries: Defining Place and Process in Indigenous North America,” A Conference paper presented at Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture (ACSA), 2016 International Conference. Santiago, Chile.

Peer Reviewed Conference Presentations:
• Feb 8- 9, 2017: “Housing Equity and Heat Vulnerability: A Case Study for Indigenous Design and Construction.” Living and Sustainability: An Environmental Critique of Design and Building Practices, Locally and Globally. AMPS (Architecture, Media, Politics & Society), London, England.
• Oct 20-21, 2016: “Contextualized Metrics in the Built Environment; Critical Engagement in Indigenous North America”, Scholarship of Social Engagement Symposium, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS.
• June 29 - July 1, 2016: “Contextualized Metrics and Narrating Binaries: Defining Place and Process in Indigenous North America,” Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture (ACSA), Santiago, Chile.

Research Activity

Students reimagine ASU campus with designs that better reflect Native cultures (Oct 2018)

https://asunow.asu.edu/20181113-creativity-native-students-redesign-asu-campus-indigenous-placekeeping

Community members offer input in Governor’s Sustainable Housing Plan (Nov 2018)

http://www.gricnews.org/index.php/grin-articles

Gila River Indian Community members see traditional house designs come to life (Sept 2018)

https://asunow.asu.edu/20180913-arizona-impact-gila-river-indian-community-members-see-traditional-house-designs-come-life?utm_campaign=ASU_Now+9-14-18&utm_medium=email&utm_source=ASU%20Now&utm_term=ASU&utm_content=%20https%3a%2f%2fasunow.asu.edu%2f20180913-arizona-impact-gila-river-indian-community-members-see-traditional-housing-designs-come

ASU moving forward with GRIC housing study (Gila River News, July 2017)

http://www.gricnews.org/index.php/grin-articles/2017-articles/july-7-2017/asu-moving-forward-with-gric-housing-study

ASU Del Webb School presents adobe brick designs for home building (Gila River News: March 29, 2017)

http://www.gricnews.org/index.php/grin-articles/2017-articles/april-21-2017-articles/asu-del-webb-school-presents-adobe-brick-designs-for-home-building

New construction course strives to help tribal communities improve housing (Dec 20, 2016 ASU Inner Circle News)

https://innercircle.engineering.asu.edu/2016/12/20/new-construction-course-strives-to-help-tribal-communities-improve-housing/

Awards:

• 2018 Leveraging a Residential Mockup to Engage Native American Students in STEM.” Grant by Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts and the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering. Co-PI’s: Kristen Parrish, Mounir El Asmar Received: $20,000.
• 2017 Affordable Housing Design Leadership Institute (AHDLI) Collaborative Action Grant. Granted by Enterprise Community Partners, Inc. Received: $5,000.
• 2018 Indigenous Placemaking for ASU Campuses and Sun Devil 365. Applied project.
• 2018 Upper Fruitland Chapter of Navajo Nation, Cemetery Design. Role: Project Lead. $49,000.
• 2016 - 2018 Gila River Indian Community Sustainable Housing Initiative. Activities to date include: Design-Build of Shade Structure/Adobe bench (2018); Community Engagement & Survey (2017); Construction Feasibility Report (2017); Design study (2016), Adobe Block Demonstration (2016). Role: Project Lead.
• 2017 Affordable Housing Design Leadership Institute (AHDLI) Design Leadership Mini-Grant. Granted by Enterprise Community Partners, Inc. Received: $1,000.
• 2017 - 2018 Tuba City Chapter of Navajo Nation: Equestrian Learning & Education Center. Design Feasibility Report as part of CON 494/598. Role: Project Lead. Received: $23,224.
• 2017 Buckminster Fuller Catalyst Program. “Climatic, Culture and Economic Resiliency through Indigenous Architecture.” Role: Project Lead. Team members: Steve Tepper, Bryan Brayboy.
• 2016 Tolani Lake Chapter of Navajo Nation: Affordable Housing Design & Project Delivery. Design Feasibility Report as part of CON 494/598. Role: Project Lead. Received: $10,000.

Courses

Spring 2021
Course Number	Course Title
CON 494	Special Topics
AIS 494	Special Topics
DSC 494	Special Topics
CON 590	Reading and Conference
CON 593	Applied Project
CON 595	Continuing Registration
DSC 598	Special Topics
CON 598	Special Topics
AIS 598	Special Topics
CON 599	Thesis
CON 680	Practicum
CON 790	Reading and Conference
CON 792	Research
CON 795	Continuing Registration
CON 799	Dissertation

Fall 2020
Course Number	Course Title
CON 494	Special Topics
DSC 494	Special Topics
AIS 494	Special Topics
CON 590	Reading and Conference
DSC 598	Special Topics
AIS 598	Special Topics
CON 598	Special Topics

Summer 2020
Course Number	Course Title
CON 593	Applied Project

Spring 2020
Course Number	Course Title
DSC 494	Special Topics
CON 494	Special Topics
AIS 494	Special Topics
CON 590	Reading and Conference
CON 593	Applied Project
CON 595	Continuing Registration
DSC 598	Special Topics
CON 598	Special Topics
AIS 598	Special Topics
CON 599	Thesis
ADE 622	Adv Architectural Studio IV
CON 680	Practicum
CON 790	Reading and Conference
CON 792	Research
CON 795	Continuing Registration
CON 799	Dissertation

Fall 2019
Course Number	Course Title
EDS 223	Design Thinking
DSC 494	Special Topics
CON 494	Special Topics
AIS 494	Special Topics
CON 590	Reading and Conference
DSC 592	Research
DSC 598	Special Topics
CON 598	Special Topics
AIS 598	Special Topics

Summer 2019
Course Number	Course Title
CON 593	Applied Project

Spring 2019
Course Number	Course Title
DSC 494	Special Topics
AIS 494	Special Topics
CON 494	Special Topics
EDS 499	Individualized Instruction
CON 590	Reading and Conference
CON 593	Applied Project
CON 595	Continuing Registration
DSC 598	Special Topics
AIS 598	Special Topics
CON 598	Special Topics
CON 599	Thesis
CON 680	Practicum
CON 790	Reading and Conference
CON 792	Research
CON 795	Continuing Registration
CON 799	Dissertation

Fall 2018
Course Number	Course Title
CON 590	Reading and Conference
DSC 592	Research
DSC 593	Applied Project
BUS 593	Applied Project
DSC 598	Special Topics
CON 598	Special Topics
AIS 598	Special Topics

Spring 2018
Course Number	Course Title
CON 494	Special Topics
DSC 494	Special Topics
AIS 494	Special Topics
DSC 499	Individualized Instruction
CON 590	Reading and Conference
DSC 592	Research
CON 593	Applied Project
CON 595	Continuing Registration
AIS 598	Special Topics
CON 598	Special Topics
DSC 598	Special Topics
CON 599	Thesis
CON 680	Practicum
CON 790	Reading and Conference
CON 792	Research
CON 795	Continuing Registration
CON 799	Dissertation

Fall 2017
Course Number	Course Title
AIS 494	Special Topics
CON 494	Special Topics
CON 590	Reading and Conference
CON 598	Special Topics
AIS 598	Special Topics

Spring 2017
Course Number	Course Title
PUP 494	Special Topics
CON 494	Special Topics
CON 590	Reading and Conference
CON 593	Applied Project
PUP 598	Special Topics
CON 598	Special Topics

Fall 2016
Course Number	Course Title
CON 494	Special Topics
CON 590	Reading and Conference
CON 593	Applied Project
CON 598	Special Topics

Presentations

Conference Presentations:
" Story, Landscape and Place-Making: Contextualizing Indigenous Knowledge within Indigenous Architecture Native American & Indigenous Studies Association (NAISA). Vancouver, BC, June 22 - 24, 2017.
" Architecture as Storyteller, Western Social Science Association (WSSA), San Francisco, CA, April 13-15, 2017.
" Housing Equity and Heat Vulnerability: A Case Study for Indigenous Design and Construction. Living and Sustainability: An Environmental Critique of Design and Building Practices. AMPS (Architecture, Media, Politics & Society), London, England, Feb 9-10, 2017.
" Helping Communities Find Voice and Healing through Planning, American Indian Studies Association Conference (AISA), University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, February 2-3, 2017. Co-presenters: Michelle Hale and Elroy Keetso.
" Indigenous Placekeeping Framework: Critical Engagement in Indigenous North Americat, Lawrence, KS, Oct 20, 2016. Scholarship of Social Engagement Symposium, University of Kansas. Lecture synopsis: Cause and effect in Indigenous architecture.
" Contextualized Metrics and Narrating Binaries: Defining Place and Process in Indigenous North America, Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture (ACSA), Santiago, Chile, June 29, 2016. Lecture synopsis: Defining Indigenous architecture.
" Indigenous Design Symposium: Fostering the Co-Production of Knowledge, American Indian Council of Architects and Engineers (AICAE), Phoenix, AZ, Apr. 29, 2016. Lecture synopsis: The co-production of knowledge in higher education.
" Indigenized Construction and Economic Development: Equipping Indian People with the Tools Needed to Built the Communities they Desire, Construction in Indian Country (CIIC), Phoenix, AZ, Apr. 27, 2016. Co-presenters: Michelle Hale and Jerome Clark. Lecture synopsis: Indigenous metrics and opportunities in Construction.
" Community Innovations and Indigenous Materials, Construction in Indian Country (CIIC), Phoenix, AZ, Apr. 26, 2016. Lecture synopsis: Indigenous materials, local initiatives and opportunities.
" Indigenous Innovation Opportunities in the Built Environment, National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development (NCAIED) Conference, Las Vegas, NV, Mar 24, 2016. Lecture synopsis: Indigenous metrics and opportunities in Construction.
" Indigenous Urban Planning, Design, Architecture & Construction: Equipping Indian People with Tools Needed to Build the Communities They Desire. American Indian Studies Association Conference (AISA), Phoenix, AZ, Feb. 4-5, 2016. Co-presenters: Michelle Hale, Jerome Clark, Chandler Willie. Lecture synopsis: Indigenous metrics and opportunities in Construction.
" Indigenous Architecture Process and Principles: A Case Study of the K-3 Aboriginal Learning Center, Construction in Indian Country (CIIC), Phoenix, AZ, Apr. 20, 2015.
Other Research activities to consider

Honors/Awards

2018 Venice Biennale, Team Canada. Unceded is a team composed of 18 Indigenous Architects from across North America, led by Douglas Cardinal and co-curated by David Fortin and Gerald McMaster. Dalla Costa is one of the Exhibiting Indigenous Architects for Unceded. https://www.unceded.ca/

Professional Associations

American Institute of Architects (AIA), Registered Architect (Arizona & California)

Service

Creative Placemaking and Equitable Communities Initiative (ASU), Advisor (2018 - present)
Projecting All Voices (ASU), Advisor (2018 - present)
Indigenous Task Force, Royal Architecture Institute of Canada (RAIC), Member (2017 - present)
Indigenous Task Force, RAIC, Chair, Education Committee (2017 - present)
Native American Connections, Board Member (2016-2017)
Construction in Indian Country (CIIC), Faculty Member (2016 - present)
American Indian Council of Architects & Engineers (AICAE), Board Member (2015 - present)
American Indian Science & Engineering Society (AISES), Member (2015- present)
U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon 2011, Team Canada (placed 6th). Role: Cultural Advisor. Title: TRTL or Technological Residence Traditional Living (First Nations housing).

Graduate Faculties / Mentoring History

PhD Committee for BriAnn Laban, University of Hawaii at Manoa: A Hopi House Design Guideline: Incorporating Culture into Design (2018).
2017 - current Project Assistant: Selina Martinez (BSD 2017, The Design School, ASU).
2018 - current Project Assistant: Rhonda Harvey (The Design School, ASU).
2018 - current Project Assistant: Neegin Saatchi (Construction Management, ASU).
2016 - 2018 Research & Teaching Assistant: Brianne Arviso (PhD Candidate 2020, Construction Mgmt, ASU)
2018 Project Assistant: Chandler WIllie (BSD 2016, MUD 2017, The Design School, ASU).
2016 Project Assistant: BriAnn Laban, (PhD Candidate 2018, U of H).

Work History

2010 - current, Director of RedQuill Architecture Inc. (RQA), Phoenix, AZ (www.RQarc.com).
2006-2010, Project Manager, Zeidler Partnership Architect (ZPA), Calgary, AB.
2002 - 2005, Designer, Project Lead & Marketing, Perkins + Will Architects (PW) & Formline Architects (FA) (formerly Waugh & Busby Architects), Calgary, AB.

Consulting

Architect, AIA (registered in California and Arizona)

Director, Redquill Architecture

www.rqarc.com

Board

Constuction in Indian Country Advisory Council https://ciic.construction.asu.edu/
Chair, Subcommittee on Indigenous Architecture Education, Indigenous Task Force (RAIC)
Member, Royal Architecture Institute of Canada (RAIC) Indigenous Task Force
Member, American Indian Council of Architects and Engineera (AICAE)