Karen Van Lengen, FAIA,  is the William Kenan Professor of Architecture at the University of Virginia. She is an internationally recognized architect, researcher and academic leader. Van Lengen’s research has focused on the exploration of sound and communication as an integral part of the new public realm.  As a  University Research Fellow (2012-14) at the Institute for Advanced Technologies in the Humanities, she created an ongoing web-based project entitled “Soundscape Architecture”,  launched in 2014. This project celebrates the aural qualities of iconic examples of architecture using inventive interpretive and analytical processes. She is the recipient of a Jefferson Trust Grant to study the aural qualities of the University’s Academical Village with students and faculty collaborators. This work has led to the creation of another web site, (in collaboration with the Institute for Advanced Technologies) entitled "Listening to the Lawn".  Her art and architectural works have been acquired and exhibited at several international museums including, The Art Institute of Chicago  (MIX House Project), Columbia University Library Drawing Collection, (Berlin Library Competition Drawings), The Museum of the CIty of New York, (Soundscape New York Installation) and Amerika Haus Berlin, as well as several exhibition galleries.  She is currently working on experimental sound designs for architectural space with the aim to influence the scope and practice of architectural design. In addition to her design work, Van Lengen has lectured extensively, authored and co-authored several books and articles, related to sound, landscape and academic projects.