Tulane School of Architecture has received a $2 million gift to establish the Saul A. Mintz Global Research Studios, a new program that will give students an opportunity to work internationally on critical global issues.  

The gift from Jean Strauss Mintz (NC ’55) is in memory of her husband Saul Mintz (A ’53). The gift establishes an endowed fund to be used for travel, research and other expenses for faculty and students associated with international research through design studios. “This gift advances magnificently the Tulane School of Architecture’s goal of becoming an international leader in design that enhances and enriches human life, especially in the world’s most challenged regions,” Tulane President Mike Fitts said. The program is part of a network of upper-level research studios that will address a relevant topic for several years in order to produce knowledge and expand the field of architecture in that particular area. 

“The impact will be doubled,” said Iñaki Alday, dean of the School of Architecture. “On the one hand, the Global Research Studios will contribute to the solutions of critical problems and expand Tulane’s international networks. On the other, every year 42 students will have very intense international academic experiences at the research level.”

One of the projects is titled the Yamuna River Project, The Rajasthan Cities. Originally based in New Delhi, the program is expanding to the Rajasthan cities of Jaipur and Ajmer, which, like most parts of South Asia, deal with issues of water scarcity, river and lake pollution, ground water depletion, infrastructure challenges, and population growth.

The multiyear research project will analyze and develop scenarios for transformation, incorporating building scale, public space, landscape and urban growth strategies.

Jean Mintz made the gift in collaboration with her children Carolyn Kaplan (NC ’78); Sally M. Mann (NC ’84); and Morris F. Mintz, along with their spouses and the Mintzes’ 10 grandchildren.

“I wanted to honor Saul in a manner that would reflect his life’s interests and passions,” Jean Mintz said. “He held Tulane and its stellar architecture program in high esteem throughout his lifetime and believed that Tulane always should be amongst the country’s most highly respected and innovative universities.”

Until his death in 2012, Saul Mintz actively supported the School of Architecture, where he served on the Dean’s Advisory Council. Saul and Jean Mintz were also instrumental in funding Tulane Hillel’s Goldie and Morris Mintz Center for Jewish Life, which is named for his parents.