When Jim Stockard ’78 retired as curator of the Loeb Fellowship in May 2014, his valediction was a scorecard of how we are doing at keeping the promise of the Housing Act of 1949: a decent home for every American family. His rating: we weren’t.

While the 2024 Loeb Fellowship Fall Study Tour was in full swing in Johnstown, PA, Matt Smith did a little exploring on his own, and found resonances with an earlier “study tour” and some disquieting differences.

Randy Gragg and the Portland Parks Foundation were determined to save Portland’s O’Bryant Square. With the help of some Loebs, they activated a citywide conversation and design charrette to generate bold ideas.