William Sherman

Education

Yale University, Master of Architecture
Princeton University, B.A. in Architecture and Urban Planning

Biography

An architect and educator, Bill Sherman examines dynamic cultural and environmental processes in architectural design, ranging in scale from human physiology to global energy flows. His work explores the intersection of these processes with the cultural frameworks that inform the design of buildings and cities, with a particular focus on emerging spaces for creative engagement and institutional transformation. He is currently the Director of Programs in Venice and the Veneto.

In his former role of Associate Vice President for Research in Design, Arts and Humanities, Sherman founded OpenGrounds, a network of places and programs at UVA that inspire creative research at the confluence of technology, science, the arts and humanities.  He designed both the spaces and programs of OpenGrounds to serve as catalysts for cross-disciplinary research collaborations and new institutional partnerships that inspire the conception, development and implementation of transformational ideas. He has lectured widely on the concept of OpenGrounds and served as a member of the Executive Committee of the Alliance for the Arts at Research Universities.

Bill Sherman's design work, ranging in scale from furniture to communities, has been published internationally and has received numerous awards, including six from the American Institute of Architects, five for Design Excellence at the national, state and local levels and one for Excellence in Education. In 2010, he was awarded the Z Society Distinguished Faculty Award at the University of Virginia and the Creative Achievement Award of the Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture.