UPLift – DaraghByrne.me

Daragh Byrne Associate Teaching Professor
School of Architecture, Carnegie Mellon University. Core faculty for MSCD and PhD CD.
Courtesy appointments in the School of Design and the Human Computer Interaction Institute.
Afflilated facilty with the IDeATe network, Block Center for Technology and Society, and CyLab.
Co-Lead of the TRACES Lab. Co-founder and platform lead for a2ru's Ground Works.
Pronunciation: Dah-rah (silent ‘gh’) · Pronouns: he/him. · Google Scholar · ResearchGate · ORCID 0000-0001-7193-006X.

UPLift

Wean Installation. Color gradients appear and disappear as one ascends through the installation.  Image Credit: Jake Marsico, Ultra Low Res Studio
Wean Installation. Color gradients appear and disappear as one ascends through the installation.  Image Credit: Jake Marsico, Ultra Low Res Studio
Wean Installation. Color gradients appear and disappear as one ascends through the installation.  Image Credit: Jake Marsico, Ultra Low Res Studio
Games for Health involves a series of playful, strategically-placed “micro-intervention” signs throughout campus with the intention of sharing healthy tips and exercise and wellness activities. Image Credit(s): Michael Arnold Mages and Francis Carter
Games for Health involves a series of playful, strategically-placed “micro-intervention” signs throughout campus with the intention of sharing healthy tips and exercise and wellness activities. Image Credit(s): Michael Arnold Mages and Francis Carter
Campus Swingset located on the lawn in Donner Ditch.

Dates 2017 - 2020

Collaborators Sarika Bajaj, Don Carter, Jill Chisnell, Don Coffelt, Sarah College, Kristen Kurland, Robert Reppe, Beth Wiser

Engaging the CMU community in identifying small-scale infrastructure improvements through a micro-grant program where CMU community members propose small projects (< $20K) to enhance daily life on campus.

In 2017, I helped to establish the CMU UpLift (UP = University Placemaking) effort to improve community and public nature of the CMU campus through experimental infrastructure proposed by the CMU students, faculty and staff. It is coordinated through the CMU Experience Task Force. Launched in 2017, we have completed two RFPs, solicited almost 100 proposals from staff, students and faculty, implemented 4 projects (with 4 more in the works) and bettered the experience on the Pittsburgh campus.

The purpose of this project is to engage the CMU community in identifying small-scale infrastructure improvements through a micro-grant program where CMU community members propose small projects (< $20K) to enhance daily life on campus. Three to five projects are selected annually based on viability, impact, need and transformative potential for the campus. Successful proposals are shepherded by a group of faculty and staff to guide implementation and engage campus participants at multiple stages and levels of engagement. Successful projects will include an evaluation component that can be used to guide future investments in space and infrastructure improvements.

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