Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
historic buildings, El Jardin.They now have three children: Elizabeth, born
in 1994, Eduardo, born in 1995, and Ellen, born in 1997.
Valle was awarded a Master of Architecture degree from the University
of Miami in 1991, receiving a certificate for academic excellence and a spe-
cial citation for being the outstanding student in his field. Completion of
graduate studies prompted some career changes.Valle left Image Network
and started his own industrial design firm, Valle Studio & Associates.
Between 1991 and 1994, he collaborated with specialists in various disci-
plines in designing a variety of products and received patents on designs for
a wine cooler and a toothbrush. Other product ideas, which he continues
to develop from time to time, remain archived until there is time to patent
them and put them into production.
Valle also joined the faculty of UMSA, first as an instructor in 1991 and
then, in 1992, as an assistant professor of computing and design. On the fac-
ulty, his duties included research and the teaching of undergraduate and
graduate students. In his advanced computer visualization course, students
explored the design potential of existing software such as AutoCAD and
3D Studio. They learned applications of geographic information systems
technology to spatial analysis and data management for urban planning and
design. In Valle's media course, they were encouraged to create interactive
information resources integrating text, photography, video, sound, and
computer graphics. Students were challenged to apply their skills to real-
world projects.
In response to the devastation caused in 1992 by Hurricane Andrew,
UMSA created the Architectural Recovery Center (later renamed the
Center for Community Design), which provided technical assistance to
homeowners whose property had been damaged or destroyed and coor-
dinated information and proposals from government agencies, civic orga-
nizations, and professionals to create plans for redevelopment of the area.
Valle played an important role in the process through the visualization tech-
niques and other applications of digital information that he had de-
veloped. His students were actively involved in gathering information and
creating electronic databases. The simulated environments Valle and his
students produced from the data helped citizens and government officials
visualize alternatives for rebuilding their communities. In subsequent years,
students developed databases for other purposes, such as for the creation
or modification of zoning codes for Key Biscayne, Key West, and other
communities.
