The dilemma of building contemporary architecture in the context of one of America's World Heritage landmarks, Thomas Jefferson's Academical Village at the University of Virginia, is the central theme of Urgent Matters. Karen Van Lengen, former dean of the School of Architecture, writes about her vision of building the School of Architecture--a highly orchestrated collaborative design strategy to exemplify the potential of architecture, landscape architecture, preservation, and planning in the public realm.

Using their existing building, Campbell Hall, as a working laboratory,...