Professor Emeritus of Architecture Colin W. Clipson died September 18, 2000.  He was 66.  The native of Britain received his B.A. degree and a graduate diploma from the University of Durham and a M.Sc. degree from the University of Technology.  Prior to joining the University of Michigan faculty in 1969, Clipson served as chair of the design department at Ohio State University.

"Colin Clipson was an international pioneer in architectural research, as well as a distinguished scholar, teacher, and an elegant human being," said Douglas Kelbaugh, dean of the UM Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning.

While serving UM, Clipson integrated graduate and doctoral level courses in design and in human factors through an active program in design research.  He served as chair of the College's research program and on numerous committees at various levels within the College and University.  He was the recipient of a Design Research Award from the National Endowment for the Arts and a Design Research Citation from the American Institute of Architects.  He was named a fellow of the Royal Society of Arts and received the Presidential Design Award, the first Design Research Award from Progressive Architecture, and the Sol King Award for Excellence in Teaching.

Clipson worked with major US corporations and was a project director with NASA's Ames Research Center, working on space station simulations.  He was director of the UM School of Art and Design's "The Workplace Research Group," which initiated projects on workplace planning and design in collaboration with corporations and government agencies.

Burial has taken place in Scotland.  There will be a gathering of his friends, colleagues, and former students in the College Gallery on Saturday, March 31, 2001, from 3:00 - 5:00.  Alumni and friends are welcome to attend.


Adapted from Portico, 2000/2.  A. Alfred Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning, the University of Michigan.