News

Award recognizes his community service and standards of excellence in local projects

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For Immediate Release

Architect Christopher Bittner has been named NewSchool of Architecture and Design 2012 Alumnus of the Year.
Photo courtesy of:
Christopher Bittner

San Diego—June 20, 2012—Architect Christopher Bittner has been named NewSchool of Architecture and Design (NSAD) 2012 Alumnus of the Year. Bittner, who is known for his involvement in local projects, such as the Naval Training Center Promenade, The Linkery restaurant and the Boys & Girls Clubs Valley Center Branch, will be formally recognized during NSAD’s commencement ceremony on June 23 at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies.

“The NSAD Alumnus of the Year Award recognizes graduates who have advanced the interests and standards of excellence of NSAD through distinctive professions or volunteer careers,” said NSAD President Steve Altman. “We are pleased to honor Christopher Bittner this year for his dedication to projects that not only reflect these standards but also exemplify the community service role of architects and designers.”

Bittner, who earned his Bachelor of Architecture from NSAD in 1997, has 18 years of experience in all phases of architecture and planning. He is a principal of the firm obrARCHITECTURE, which Bittner started in 2008 with two partners, Garrick Oliver and Anney Rosenthal-Hall. His work includes residential and school building projects, civic and government facilities, historic rehabilitation and commercial and planning projects.

Known for his community service, Bittner has served as a volunteer board member with North Park Main Street since October 2010. His firm, obrARCHITECTURE, was an active participant in the development of the Sustainable North Park Main Street master plan, and Bittner owns and operates an art gallery in North Park that supports local artists. About 70 percent of his architecture and design projects are for local nonprofit organizations.

Bittner is a member of the American Institute of Architects and the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards. At NSAD, Bittner has served as an adjunct faculty member and regularly serves as a juror providing critiques of student projects.

About NewSchool of Architecture and Design
NewSchool of Architecture and Design (NSAD), founded in 1980, is located in San Diego, California. NSAD is accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS). ACICS is listed as a nationally recognized accredng agency by the U.S. Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. NSAD’s Bachelor of Architecture, Master of Architecture and Executive Master of Architecture programs are accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB). NSAD also offers a pre-professional Bachelor of Arts in Architecture, a Bachelor of Science in Digital Media Arts, a Bachelor of Science in Construction Management, a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture, a Master of Landscape Architecture, a Master of Construction Management and a Master of Science in Architecture. NSAD was ranked among the top 10 undergraduate architecture schools in the western United States, according to the DesignIntelligence report “America’s Best Architecture & Design Schools 2012.” For more information, visit http://www.newschoolarch.edu/.