{"id":2161,"date":"2018-08-22T15:41:36","date_gmt":"2018-08-22T15:41:36","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/cast.b-ap.net\/dev5\/?page_id=22"},"modified":"2026-03-06T09:37:38","modified_gmt":"2026-03-06T09:37:38","slug":"courses","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/ubwp.buffalo.edu\/cast\/courses\/","title":{"rendered":"Courses"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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Courses<\/h1>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Faculty members affiliated with CAST offer courses through the\u00a0Situated Technologies Graduate Research Group<\/a>\u00a0in the Department of Architecture.<\/p>

The curriculum engages design experimentation that repositions architecture in an expanded field. The group explores methods of study and conducts experiments that probe the limits of architecture: prototypes, processes, techniques, modes of collaboration, and workflows. It adopts new methods to identify new sites of inquiry, at different scales and within different social and political settings, for an expanded field of practice.<\/p>

Design studios and seminars result in a wide range of outcomes\u2013buildings, devices, events, infrastructures, tools, workflows, interfaces\u2013and in skillsets that enable students to articulate new agencies for architecture.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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Recent Courses<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tARC 619: Architectural Geometry and Construction\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t
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Instructor: Nick Bruscia | Type: Seminar
\nThis technical seminar introduces computational modeling and simulation in architecture, focusing on geometric principles and digital workflows that connect form-finding, material behavior, and fabrication through algorithmic modeling and physics-based simulation tools.<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tARC 404: Digitizing and Designing Toward Spolia\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t
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Instructor: Nick Bruscia | Type: Studio
\nThis studio explores the design and construction of dry-stacked masonry systems using recycled architectural stone, combining digital scanning, computational modeling, and mixed-reality tools to translate irregular salvaged materials into structurally legible assemblies.<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tARC 606: Mediating and Remediating Gowanus\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t
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Instructor: Mark Shepard | Type: Studio
\nThis graduate design research studio investigates green infrastructure and environmental sensing systems for multispecies urban environments, focusing on ecological restoration and responsive landscape interventions along Brooklyn\u2019s Gowanus Canal.<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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Course Archive<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tARC 605 ST: Spectral Space\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t
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Instructor: Nick Bruscia | Type: Studio
\nThis studio explores the use of extended reality (XR), particularly augmented reality (AR), in architectural workflows and representation, focusing on real-time data-driven holograms that visualize invisible atmospheric or historical conditions within existing and proposed spaces.<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tARC 606 ST: Remote Cultural Technologies\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t
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Instructor: Nick Bruscia | Type: Studio
\nThis graduate research studio investigates the relationship between culture and technology through a remote collaboration with the rural village of Hida, Japan, exploring mixed-reality tools, traditional timber craft, and digitally mediated design-build processes.<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tARC 605 – Fidelity and Tolerance – Phantom Fabrication\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t
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Instructor: Nicholas Bruscia | Type: Studio
\nThis studio will research the potential advantages and pitfalls of integrating mixed reality (MR) into well-established methods of handwork in a variety of contexts (local craft, manufacturing workflow, material production, etc).<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tARC 625 – Fabricating the Real\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t
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Instructor: Mark Shepard | Type: Seminar
\nThis course surveys the cultural history of VR, AR and MR, focusing on their ontological and epistemological implications regarding conceptions of \u201cthe real.\u201d<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tARC 617 – Fusing Dimensions\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t
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Instructors: Randy Fernando and Shawn Chiki
Type: Seminar
\nThis course utilizes experiential learning methods to address how designers can interface the
\nnuances of real and virtual environments during the creative process.<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tARC 626 – Biased by Design\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t
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Instructor: Mark Shepard | Type: Seminar
\nThis seminar surveys forms of algorithmic governance and the various kinds of bias embedded within so-called smart urban systems and infrastructure. <\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tARC 619 – Architectural Geometry and Construction\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t
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Instructor: Nicholas Bruscia | Type: Seminar
\nThis course introduces students to a variety of computational modeling and simulation techniques that heavily leverage architectural geometry and material constraints in the design-to-construction workflow.<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tARC 606 – Remote Cultural Technologies\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t
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Instructor: Nicholas Bruscia | Type: Studio
\nSituated (remotely) within the historical and cultural context of Hida, Japan, the studio is a mixed-reality based collaboration with local partners aimed at developing AR-guided carpentry utilizing 3D scanned forest data.<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tARC 605 – (un)common ground\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t
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Instructor: Mark Shepard | Type: Studio<\/p>\n

This design research studio explored the spatial epistemology of contemporary remote sensing practices.<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tARC 605 – Figure to Fiber\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t
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Instructor: Nicholas Bruscia | Type: Studio
\nWhile stereotomic projection is associated with shaping mass, surface disclinations may be associated with shaping thinness, turning our attention away from the monolithic and toward the monocoque. <\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tARC 619 – Tempered Environments\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t
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Instructor: Albert Chao | Type: Seminar
\nIn dialogue with Hans Haacke’s 1965 Condensation Cube, this seminar investigates how to draw, model, and build physical and digital prototypes to explore tempered environments.<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tARC 605 – TBD: Uncertain Architectures\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t
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Instructor: Mark Shepard | Type: Studio
\nThis graduate design research studio will investigate how to map a course of action in face of uncertain conditions.<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tARC 625 \u2013 TOO MUCH FUTURE: Technological Sentiments in Crisis\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t
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Instructor: Gabrielle Printz | Type: Seminar
\nThis seminar examines the social constitution of technology, its dimensions of power, and its impossible neutrality in the conceptualization and manifestation of \u201cthe future.\u201d <\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tARC 617 \u2013 Code and Space\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t
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Instructor: Albert Chao | Type: Seminar
\nThe Situated Technologies Spring studio will explore the space of manufacturing and the promise of mass customization. <\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tARC 606: Mass Customization | Manufacturing Variety\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t
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Instructor: Omar Khan | Type: Studio
\nThe Situated Technologies Spring studio will explore the space of manufacturing and the promise of mass customization. <\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tARC 626: Manufacturing Autonomy\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t
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Instructor: Mark Shepard | Type: Seminar
\nThis seminar will survey the changing dynamics between manufacturing, labor, technology and society from the Industrial Revolution to the present.<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tARC 619: Unregulated Craft\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t
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Instructor: Nick Bruscia | Type: Seminar
\nThis course will explore the notion of manufacturing variety as influenced by the role of representation in the design and fabrication process.\u00a0 <\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tARC 605: Structural Papercuts | Towns of Borrowed Spaces\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t
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Instructor: Nick Bruscia | Type: Studio
\nAdopting similar plywood forming techniques exemplified by the Eames’, this sponsored studio will devise flat-to-form, lightweight shells as disaster relief partitions in open, densely packed, interior environments. <\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tARC 606: Cybernetic Factory\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t
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Instructor: Omar Khan | Type: Studio
\nThe Cybernetic Factory takes as its subject the architecture of advanced manufacturing and its integration into local economies and communities.<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tARC 619: Conditional Form – Functional Gradients\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t
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Instructor: Nick Bruscia | Type: Seminar
\nThis hands-on course will explore the relationship between materiality, form and the environment through speculative computational drawing and simulation techniques. <\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tARC 605: (re)seeking architecture\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t
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Instructor: Mark Shepard | Type: Studio
\nThis design research studio will investigate the limits of sensing, processing, and actuating physical space through the design, fabrication and development of a full-scale installation that attempts to playfully engage the contingencies of its use and occupation.<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tARC 625: Architecture and the Information Environment\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t
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Instructor: Omar Khan | Type: Seminar
\nThis seminar introduces students to the significant ideas that define the information environment and how they concern architecture and urbanism.<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tARC 617 \/ DMS 606: Code & Space\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t
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Instructor: Jason Geistweidt | Type: Seminar
\nThis design research workshop investigates this interweaving of code and space within the built environment through project-based experimentation.<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tARC 617 \/ DMS 606: Code & Space\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t
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Instructor: Jason Geistweidt | Type: Seminar
\nThis design research workshop investigates this interweaving of code and space within the built environment through project-based experimentation.<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tARC 547: Conditional Form – Calibrated Modeling\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t
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Instructor: Nick Bruscia | Type: Seminar
\nUsing a Vicon Motion Capture System, this course will focus on the calibrated modeling of bending-active wooden elements as a topic from which to gain experience with iterative digital form-finding as related to material behavior.<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tARC 605: Flexible Architecture\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t
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Instructor: Nick Bruscia | Type: Studio
\nSome composite materials are designed to return to their initial form after deformation by bending or stretching back into position. The studio will explore the scalability of flexible materials, and how we might organize them to produce stable but intentionally flexible architecture.<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tARC 547: Conditional Form – Isomorphic Systems\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t
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Instructor: Nick Bruscia | Type: Seminar
\nThis course will explore Ricolais’ concept of isomorphic systems via experimentation with bending-active surfaces and their skeletal equivalents. <\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tARC 605: Form Finding and Designing with Forces\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t
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Instructor: Nick Bruscia | Type: Studio
\nThe studio will introduce students to computational form-finding as it pertains to the design of structurally elegant long-span roof canopies. <\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Faculty members affiliated with CAST offer courses through the\u00a0Situated Technologies Graduate Research Group\u00a0in the Department of Architecture. The curriculum engages design experimentation that repositions architecture in an expanded field. The […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"elementor_header_footer","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-2161","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/ubwp.buffalo.edu\/cast\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2161","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/ubwp.buffalo.edu\/cast\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/ubwp.buffalo.edu\/cast\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ubwp.buffalo.edu\/cast\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ubwp.buffalo.edu\/cast\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2161"}],"version-history":[{"count":9,"href":"https:\/\/ubwp.buffalo.edu\/cast\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2161\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2547,"href":"https:\/\/ubwp.buffalo.edu\/cast\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2161\/revisions\/2547"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/ubwp.buffalo.edu\/cast\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2161"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}