Christopher Drew Armstrong

Christopher Drew Armstrong is an Associate Professor and Director of Architectural Studies at the University of Pittsburgh, affiliated with the Dietrich School of Arts & Sciences and the Department of History of Art and Architecture. He holds dual appointments in History of Art & Architecture (primary) and French & Italian (secondary). His research focuses on French architecture and urbanism from the 17th to 20th centuries, European urban planning, and North American campus design, with recent emphasis on community-engaged scholarship.

Education: Ph.D. (Columbia University, 2003), M.A. (University of Toronto, 1994), B.Arch. (University of Toronto, 1992). His work bridges architectural history, cultural studies, and sustainability, reflected in grants like the Chancellor’s Seed Grant for academic initiatives (2018).

Research highlights include studies on Julien-David Leroy’s architectural historiography, 18th-century French urbanism, and Pittsburgh’s Rodef Shalom Synagogue. Awards include the 2011 David and Tina Bellet Teaching Excellence Award and a 2012 research fellowship at the Institut National d'Histoire de l'Art (Paris).

Teaching spans courses like Modern Architecture, Architectural Theory, and study-abroad programs in Central Europe and Versailles. He advises over 10 Ph.D. and M.A. students, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration through initiatives like the Campus-Community Workshop.