Internationally-renowned architect Monica Ponce de Leon, who has designed buildings in cities like New York, Paris and Tokyo, will next turn her attention to Ann Arbor. The University announced her appointment as the new Dean of the Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning on Tuesday, pending approval by the University Board of Regents.

Ponce de Leon, a Harvard Graduate School of Design professor and principal architect at award-winning firm Office dA, will assume her post Sept. 1.

Along with winning awards for design ingenuity, much of Ponce de Leon's work has been praised for its energy efficiency.

She was selected after nearly a dozen candidates were interviewed by a search committee formed in November.

Mary Anne Drew, executive assistant to the TCAUP dean and a member of the search committee, said the committee was looking for someone who would inspire students to attend the college.

Drew described the ideal candidate as "someone who could articulate the vision of the school on a national and international level."

Outgoing TCAUP dean Douglas Kelbaugh said Ponce De Leon fits that bill.

"She's an accomplished practitioner with a firm that's won many, many distinguished design awards," he said.

Kelbaugh pointed to Ponce de Leon's experience in other countries, which he said provides her with an "international perspective" and the ability to appeal to a diverse audience.

Provost Teresa Sullivan said that she and University President Mary Sue Coleman were "extremely pleased" with the appointment because of Ponce de Leon's ability to build upon both the University's technological advances in architecture and its reputation.

"We are confident of her ability to articulate a vision for TCAUP that will position it as a leader in architecture and design education and practice on such important issues as sustainability, digital technologies, diversity and social consciousness," she said.