UA Appoints Peter MacKeith New Dean of Fay Jones School of Architecture

Peter MacKeith, a professor of architecture at the Sam Fox School of Design & Visual Arts at Washington University in St. Louis, was announced Monday as the next dean of the Fay Jones School of Architecture at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville.

MacKeith will begin the job July 1, according to a university news release.

He has served on the Fay Jones School’s Professional Advisory Board for the Fay Jones School since 2011.

The Fay Jones School includes the departments of architecture, landscape architecture and interior design. The school also has two outreach components: the University of Arkansas Community Design Center, whose work has received more than 90 design awards, and Garvan Woodland Gardens, the university’s botanical garden in Hot Springs.

MacKeith began his tenure at Washington University in 1999. He previously held faculty appointments in architecture at the University of Virginia, the University of Ljubljana in Slovenia, and Yale University.

MacKeith received a bachelor’s degree in English and international relations from the University of Virginia and a master of architecture from Yale University.

His architectural teaching has been recognized nationally with two Creative Achievement Awards in architectural education from the Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture (2007-2008, 2013-2014).

MacKeith has worked in architecture and design practices in both the United States and Finland, notably with the renowned Finnish architect Juhani Pallasmaa.

In February, MacKeith was recognized by the President of Finland for his contributions to the culture and architecture of Finland with the insignia of Knight, First Class, of the Order of the Lion of Finland.