Dr. Peter Weiss, through a past student’s referral, was connected with a Chinese official about providing architectural consultation for a new university campus to be built in central China (in the province of China’s first dynasty nearly 3,000 years ago). Apparently, the Chinese were so impressed with Weiss’ knowledge and experience that they asked him to provide the architectural plans for the entire university complex! Not only has he drawn the architectural plans, he has worked directly with the contractors on all of the buildings (almost 50 structures).

Weiss travels to China five to six times a year and spends one to three weeks with the contractors. He has provided an international flavor by designing sections of the campus to reflect German, Italian and French themes. He has also been able to incorporate these Western themes with ancient Chinese design by having the themes on opposite sides of buildings. The best of China’s students are selected to attend SIAS University and live on campus year-round during their college career. The university has grown from 200 students to 13,000 in about five years.

Weiss (third from left) with Club President-elect Bill Hutto (left) and program host Stan Wilson (right). Keith McPheeters (second from left), dean emeritus of AU's architecture school, who as dean hired Weiss to teach at Auburn in the late 1980s.