Assistant Research Professor and Extension Specialist
Auburn University Rural Studio
Auburn, Alabama
Betsy Farrell Garcia is an Assistant Research Professor with Rural Studio, a program in Auburn University’s School of Architecture, Planning, and Landscape Architecture. Established in 1993, Rural Studio gives architecture students a hands-on educational experience while assisting the underserved communities of Alabama’s Black Belt region. A registered architect in Massachusetts, Garcia’s experience ranges from master planning and design to construction administration and delivery of award-winning projects. Her professional practice in high-performance arts, higher education, and K-12 facilities informs her work envisioning and designing efficient, resilient, and equitable housing for communities that need it most. As a research professor, Garcia leverages Rural Studio’s long history of collaborating with our West Alabama neighbors to address housing needs throughout the Southeast and beyond. Her strong belief in Rural Studio’s community-driven mission motivates her in furthering its valuable research. She is a LEED Accredited Professional familiar with a number of sustainability metrics who seeks to integrate passive systems seamlessly into architecture.
Behind Closed Doors: What Post-occupancy Monitoring Tells Us About Home Energy Use
Tuesday, April 14, 2026
3:30 PM - 4:30 PM