Marianne Cusato

Joining the ARCHITECTURE: Design & Practice panel discussion is Marianne Cusato, an architect and educator recognised internationally for her leadership in housing innovation and community regeneration.

Marianne is Professor of the Practice at the University of Notre Dame and Director of the Housing and Community Regeneration Initiative, a “Think-and-Do Tank” that partners with municipalities and nonprofits to reimagine the built environment for stronger economic development and more equitable communities. Renowned for her innovative housing solutions for disaster recovery and workforce housing, her work has had local, national, and global impact through research, design, and education.

Alongside her academic role, Marianne is Partner in Charge of Design and Development at Cypress Community Development Corp, a not-for-profit housing organisation dedicated to creating resilient, energy-efficient, and dignified homes. Cypress CDC’s projects include 450 Katrina Cottages in Louisiana through FEMA funding, as well as rebuilding efforts in the Florida Keys after Hurricane Irma, Sonoma County after the 2017 wildfires, Panama City after Hurricane Michael, and Baton Rouge after flooding.

Marianne is an INTBAU Trustee, and leads the organisation’s efforts in post-disaster reconstruction in Ukraine.