Known for his large, monochromatic architectural landscapes, Douglas Cooper is Professor of Architecture in the School of Architecture, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh.  Since 1990, he has focused on large panoramic murals of cities in the USA and abroad but in particular, scenes of Pittsburgh.  In three of his projects he has worked together with elderly residents of a city and incorporated their stories and drawings (often in their own hands) into the works.

Education:
Department of Architecture, Carnegie-Mellon University (B. Arch.1970)

Positions:
Herbert Ohl, Institut für Umweltgestaltung (1970-1975) Frankfurt am Main, Germany

Department of Architecture, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA (1976-) Professor (1986), Associate Head (1988-1993). Associate Dean, College of Fine Arts (1994-96)

Selected Murals and Commissions:
Universita` di Roma La Sapienza, Rome, Italy. with G. Picher, P. Clark et al (2005) Mural circa 160 feet-long for the “aula magna” at the University’s Esquilino facility, Ex Caserma Sani. Mural depicts the topography an personal stories of the Esquilino district of Rome. Work in Rome developed jointly with Gianna Vairo Dept. of Modern Languages and four CMU undergraduates.

King County Courthouse, Seattle Washington—with Gregoire Picher, Patty Clark (2005)  Set of murals depicting regional history and geography for lobby spaces of King County Courthouse Seattle WA. Murals depict sites at multiple points in time to illustrate changes in land use as well as conflicts that have arisen over that use.

University of California at San Francisco, Med Sci Bld San Francisco, CA—with G. Picher (2002)  Mural depicts history of San Francisco and UCSF.  Developed with UCSF staff, patients and neighboring residents.

Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission Headquarters, Harrisburg, PA with Sarah Cooper (2001) Pair of murals (8’x 13’, 8’ x 16’) depicting the history of the turnpike for the commission’s boardroom

Pittsburgh Ballet Theater, “Indigo in Motion,” show curtain—with John Trivelli (2000) Design and implementation oversight for production of show curtain for “Indigo in Motion,” a performance of dances to the music of Pittsburgh jazz legends. May 2000. (assisted by John Trivelli)

Kleinmarkthalle Frankfurt, Germany (1996) 6- meter high by 9-meter wide mural for central market (die Kleinmarkthalle) of Frankfurt am Main, Germany.  Developed jointly with various senior centers around the city of Frankfurt and assisted by Prof. Stephen Brockmann, of Modern Languages and four Carnegie Mellon University students

University Center Mural, Pittsburgh, PA —with Jonathan Kline and John Trivelli (1995-6) 200-foot- long mural for permanent installation along three walls around The Rotunda of University Center, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA.

Philadelphia Courthouse, Philadelphia, PA —with Deborah Zwetsch, and Walter Tien) (1993-5) 96-foot long composite mural of Philadelphia. Work developed jointly with the Center in the Park, Philadelphia center for the elderly.

Senator John Heinz Regional History Center, Pittsburgh, PA with Sarah Cooper (1991-3) 120-foot long mural of Pittsburgh. Work developed jointly with elderly at Vintage, a Pittsburgh activities center for the elderly.  Work was supported by grants from the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts.  Work has been purchased by Heinz Historical Center for its new Strip District facility. Installation: 1996.  Work was subject of PBS 1/2 hour long feature “A Map of Memories”

Philadelphia Courthouse, Philadelphia, PA (1993-5) 96-foot long composite mural of Philadelphia.  Work developed jointly with the Center in the Park, Philadelphia center for the elderly.  Installed: Entrance Lobby, Philadelphia Courthouse, Philadelphia, PA, 1995

Selected Solo Exhibitions:
Concept Art Gallery, Pittsburgh, PA. (2006) (1999) (1997)
Institut für Stadtgeschichte, Karmeliterkloster, Frankfurt am Main, Germany, (1997)
Museum of Art, Forum Gallery, The Carnegie Museum, Pittsburgh, PA., (1993)
Museum of Art, The Carnegie Museum, Pittsburgh, PA., (1992)
Galerie Der Spiegel, Köln, Germany, (1990)
AIA National Headquarters, Washington, DC., (1989)
Alex Rosenberg Gallery, New York, NY., (1985)
Open Atelier of Design, New York, NY., (1983)
Museum of Art, The Carnegie Museum, Pittsburgh, PA., (1978)
Galerie Der Spiegel, Köln , Germany, (1975)

Selected Group Exhibitions:
Schirn Museum, Frankfurt am Main, Germany, (2000)
Galerie Gardy Wiechern, Hamburg, Germany, (1990)
Galerie Der Spiegel, Köln, Germany, (1990)
Butler Institute of Art, Youngstown, OH., (1987)
Alex Rosenberg Gallery, New York, NY., (1984)

Professional Honors:
AIA National Award for collaborative contributions to the profession of architecture (2000)
Henry Hornbostel award for teaching excellence in the College of Fine Arts, Carnegie-Mellon University (1985)

Books authored:
Steel Shadows, Pittsburgh: University of Pittsburgh Press, (2000)
Drawing and Perceiving Fourth Edition New York, NY: John Wiley & Sons (2007)
Frankfurt Panorama, Frankfurt am Main, Deutsche Bank Bauspar AG, (1997)

Sources include:

Carnegie-Mellon University online