Marvin J. Malecha | The Urge to Draw, the Cause to Reflect

Marvin J. Malecha, dean of NCSU’s College of Design and professor of architecture, has had a multi-faceted career encompassing administration, education, research, professional service, and practice as an architect.

Malecha earned a bachelor of architecture from the University of Minnesota and a master of architecture from Harvard University. Prior to his arrival at North Carolina State University in 1994, he was dean of the College of Environmental Design at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, for twelve years.

The recipient of numerous awards, Malecha is a Fellow in the American Institute of Architects (AIA) and an Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture (ACSA) Distinguished Professor. In 2003 Malecha received the prestigious AIA/ACSA Topaz Medallion for Excellence in Architectural Education. In 2009 he served as president of the AIA.

Malecha has written several books on design, and he regularly accepts teaching assignments. He gained experience as an architect with the firm of Hugh Stubbins and Associates in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and he has maintained an active involvement with architectural practice through his design work on a wide variety of projects—including the chancellor’s residence now under construction on Centennial Campus.

The sketches play an important role on Malecha’s busy life. “When I draw,” he says, “I can feel the tension drain away from me.”

© NC State University/Photo by Marc Hall