The Making of Things

About the Author

Frank Jacobus is an associate professor at the Fay Jones School of Architecture and Design [FJSoA+D], and principal architect of the award-winning architecture firm SILO AR+D. Frank is currently the Associate Department Head and served as the 21st Century Endowed Chair of Construction and Technology for the FJSoA+D for three years. Frank is an award-winning educator, having most recently won the prestigious Imhoff Award and Tau Sigma Delta Silver Medallion. He has coordinated and taught all levels of design studio, Furniture Design and Construction, Architectural Programming, as well as graduate and undergraduate seminars related to his research, and has led numerous design-build projects for the school.

As co-Principal of SILO AR+D, Frank has completed residential and institutional projects across the United States for a variety of clients and communities. Renowned for its resourceful design and execution, SILO AR+D’s work has been featured by the Wall Street Journal, CNN, Architect, the Architect's Newspaper, Azure, Slate, Dwell, Salon and Fast Company. SILO’s architecture is recognized nationally and internationally with design awards and was selected recently as an Emerging Voice (2016) by the Architectural League of New York, and as a Next Progressive (2018) by Architecture Magazine.

Frank’s other books include The Visual Biography of Color (2017), and Archi-Graphic: An Infographic Look at Architecture (2015).

Angela Carpenter is the Fabrication Labs Manager at the Fay Jones School of Architecture and Design. Angela oversees the school’s fabrication facilities and integration of building focused courses. She provides expertise and instructional support in digital fabrication techniques and procuring specialized equipment. Angela has taught as a Visiting Assistant Professor and Instructor in advanced Design-Build and Additive Manufacturing studios. Her experience has allowed for developing multi-scale investigations in material manipulation and construction advancements.

Angela was awarded the Merit Scholarship for a Single-Family Housing Prototype while studying at Cranbrook Academy of Art, where she received her Master of Architecture. Combining the use of digital technology, with methods of traditional architectural building highly influences Angela’s work and strategies for future material experimentation.

Rachel Smith Loerts is a Visiting Instructor at the Fay Jones School of Architecture and Design [FJSoA+D]. After working for four years as a project designer at two architecture firms, Rachel began managing the Digital Fabrication Laboratories at the FJSoA+D for six years. As manager she was able to consult and facilitate student and faculty digital fabrication processes for design studios, seminars, fabrication research, and community outreach programs. During this time, she was awarded the Tau Sigma Delta Silver Medal by the local chapter for her commitment to developing student fabrication knowledge. Rachel also co-developed PLAYnes, an educational toy used by FJSoA+D for K-12 design education programs.

In 2019, Rachel completed a Master of Science degree in Geography at the University of Arkansas with a Master’s Thesis entitled "The Image from the Road: Towards Mapping the Phenomenological". Continuing her commitment to developing student knowledge of technology, Rachel’s wide range of experience in architecture, cartography, fabrication, and design education have enabled her to introduce technologies into the foundation architecture design studios as a Lecturer and Visiting Instructor.

Justin M. Tucker is a mentor, maker, designer, and optimistic problem solver favoring the human scale and experience. Recent constructions include a custom cabin in Norway (2017), a floating sauna in Estonia (2017), an exhibit at the 2018 Venice Biennale, and an award-winning cloister garden at Domaine de Chaumont-sur-Loire in France (2019). Projects closer to home include tables for the commons in Adohi Hall on campus, a Little Free Library space for children, and creating and teaching a "Design-Build-Think" course for a local high school.

Justin is the Wood Fabrication Specialist at the Fay Jones School of Architecture + Design, University of Arkansas, as well as an Exhibitions' Coordinator. Justin draws knowledge from a B.Arch degree from the Fay Jones School as well as over twenty years cumulative experiences in construction management, landscape construction, fine woodworking, architectural design, and prototyping, not to mention a childhood of making (and breaking) things.

Randal Dickinson is the digital fabrication specialist at the Fay Jones School of Architecture and Design [FJSoA+D]. Randal has taken part in the fabrication and design of several nationally recognized design-build projects. He educates design students in current and developing methods of digital fabrication. During the summer 2020, he was recognized for making impactful contributions during the COVID19 pandemic by 3D printing Personal Protective Equipment for local first responders. Randal has developed fabrication techniques using composite materials, origami, 3D printing, as well as investigations in traditional wood working.

Prior to working at FJSoA+D Randal has taught Engineering and Robotics at Fayetteville High School and English as a Second Language overseas in South Korea. Randal holds two degrees from the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, a Bachelor of Arts degree in Art (Graphic Design) and a Master of Education degree in Technology Education. Upon completion of his graduate studies Randal was recognized as the Outstanding Master’s Student in the field of Career and Technical Education by the College of Education and Health Professions.