The University of the District of Columbia will be closed on Friday, July 3, in observance of Independence Day. The university will reopen on Monday, July 6.
Dr. Anna Young Franz, an accomplished architect, engineer, and academic leader, serves as Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Student Success at UDC’s College of Agriculture, Urban Sustainability, and Environmental Sciences (CAUSES), bringing expertise in value-inclusive design, urban sustainability, and interdisciplinary research to advance equitable and resilient built environments.
Experience
Education
Doctor of Philosophy in Engineering and Applied Science: Engineering Management, George Washington University Master of Architecture: Historic Preservation, The University of Texas at Austin Master of Science: Nursing and Communications, Texas Woman's University Bachelor of Nursing: Biology, Florida State University Registered Architect, District of Columbia and Commonwealth of Virginia Registered Nurse, Commonwealth of Virginia U.S. Green Building Council Certified Facilities Manager, International Facilities Management Association Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Accredited Professional, International Facilities Management Association
Roles
Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Student Success, College of Agriculture, Urban Sustainability and Environmental Sciences, 2024-Present UDC Architecture Program Director, Master of Architecture and Bachelor of Science/Architecture degree programs, 2024-Present
Courses Taught
Graduate Thesis Seminar Thesis Studio II Thesis Studio I Sustainability I CADD Documentation, Specifications and Estimating Independent Studies, Undergraduate and Graduate Students Dissertation Chair for ULAE Ph.D. Students Dissertation Committee Member for ULAE Ph.D. Students
Expertise
Administrative oversight for UDC CAUSES Departments: Health, Nursing and Nutrition and Architecture and Urban Sustainability
UDC Architecture Program Director overseeing professional architectural education, research and practice/accreditation
Former federal real property planning; asset and facilities management; capital project delivery/contracting and project; energy and construction management professional
Research Focus / Works in Progress
Value-inclusive design examining contemporary problems facing society and the build environment; social equity, urban sustainability, resilience and community capacity building; qualitative, quantitative and mixed methods, systematic reviews, and community-based participatory research
Whole systems design of 21st Century American Buildings and Infrastructure examining to examine green architecture and healthy cities/healthy people
Leadership
Fellow, American Institute of Architects, 2018-Present Elected Member and Vice Chair, Executive Insights Committee, National Academy of Construction, 2018-24 Academic Team Chair, Executive Insights Committee, National Academy of Construction, 2025-Present
Impact
Selected Publications
Franz, A., Stuiver, M., Harris, E., & Sarabi, S. (2022). Urban architecture for wellbeing: a design canvas for inclusive green cities. In M. Stuiver (Ed.), The symbiotic city: Voices of nature in urban transformations.https://doi.org/10.3920/978-90-8686-935-0_12
Bakhtyari, V., Fattahi, K., Movahed, K., & Franz, A. (2024).Investigating the effect of living walls on cooling energy consumption in various urban microclimates, building heights, and greenery coverage areas. Sustainability, 16(2), 920. https://doi.org/10.3390/su16020920
Harris, E., Franz, A., & O’Hara, S. (2023). Promoting social equity and building resilience through value-inclusive design. Buildings, 13(8), 2081. https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings13082081
Franz, A., Stuiver, M., & Harris, E. (2020). Value-inclusive design. (Webinar). Wageningen University and Research's Urban Greenhouse Challenge #3, the Social Edition.
Franz, A. Ask me anything: Leadership blindspots, quality, creativity and artificial intelligence. Creativity and Culture of No Fear Podcasts. National Academy of Construction.
Selected Grants
National Institute of Food and Agriculture. (2024). Investigating the factors, motivating farmers to participate in improving and renovating programs.
Recognitions
AIA Honor Award for Architecture, U.S. Courthouse, Los Angeles, 2018 National Project Award, Construction Management Association of America for U.S. Courthouse, Los Angeles, 2017 National Planning Award for Asset Management, American Planning Association, 2017 Biennial Design Excellence: Los Angeles and Salt Lake City United States Courthouses, Geological Society of Americam 216 ESRI Award for Innovation, 2015 Robert F. Kennedy Department of Justice Honor Award for Preservation and Conservation, 2004 Architect of the Capitol: The Architect’s Citation, 2012 Smithsonian Institution Secretary’s Commendation, 2003 DOJ Attorney General Special Recognition Award, 2000 National Academy of Construction, Coordinator of 175 Executive Insights,
Invited Participations
Franz, A. (2019-22; 2024). Juror for Best of the Best Project Awards. Engineering News Record. Franz, A. (2018). Delivering the future. AIA National Office. Franz, A., Ayers, S. T., Stohler, C., & Stagner, L. (2015). Design-build roundtable. Architect of the Capitol. Franz, A. (2015). Vision to action. Construction Industry Institute. Franz, A. (2014). Achieving a learning organization in the engineering procurement and construction industry (Research project team 201). Construction Industry Institute. Franz, A. (2014). Vision to action. Franz, A. (2014). Radical innovation playbook. CMAA. Franz, A. (2014). Engineering News Record. (Interview). Franz, A. (2013). Engineering News Record. (Interview).
