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Arlington, Va. – The 2024 Interschool Student Design Competition was held Sunday, September 22, 2024 with winners announced at an awards ceremony Friday, October, 4, 2024. Organized by AIA Northern Virginia, AIA Potomac Valley, AIA DC and AIA Baltimore, six local architecture schools participated this year: Catholic University of America, Howard University, Morgan State University, University of Maryland, the University of the District of Columbia and Virginia Tech’s Washington Alexandria Architecture Center (WAAC).
Teams of six (comprised of one student from each university) met just prior to the competition and were given limited information about the program and the location. On competition day, they received the full program and had 8 hours to develop their design solution.
This year the competition took place at the National Building Museum (NBM) with the following program: “Craft as a keeper of culture: spaces for making, displaying, and consuming culturally significant works” in the H Street Neighborhood, with instructions to design an exhibition space and flea market to strengthen the promenade.
The jury was comprised of design professionals: Paul Coldberger, an author, architecture critic and lecturer; Nancy Levinson, an editor and executive director of Places Journal; Stephen Luoni, Director of the University of Arkansas Community Design Center (UACDC), and he is the Steven L. Anderson Chair in Architecture and Urban Studies and a Distinguished Professor of Architecture; and, Jared N. Zurn, AIA, NCARB, CAE, Senior Vice President, Programs at National Council of Architectural Registration Board (NCARB). They deliberated and announced the winners Friday, October 4 at the awards ceremony at the NBM.
“As global design trends spread, we risk losing the unique character and authenticity shaped by local materials and methods,” said Braden L. Field, AIA, 2024 AIA Northern Virginia President and Associate Principal at MTFA Architecture. “This year’s competition highlighted the importance of local craftsmanship in shaping our communities. Each team did a remarkable job showcasing how culture is reflected through making.”
Organizers would like to thank the event host, NBM, and sponsor, NCARB, without whose continued support the event would not be possible.
The 2024 Interschool Student Design Competition Winners are:
First Place – Paifang Walk
Team Members
- Adesola Adenekan from Morgan State University
- Cash’zhay Horton from University of the District of Columbia (UDC)
- Isaiah Moody from Howard University
- Pamela Medrano-Otero from Washington-Alexandria Architecture Center: Virginia Tech School of Architecture + Design
- Gabriela Turcios from University of Maryland
- Jacelyn Andrawes from Catholic University of America
Second Place – The Architecture of Disturbance!
Team Members
- Elizabeth Robele from Howard University
- Irfan Rabbat from University of Maryland
- Jade Harris from Morgan State University
- Nahida Sultana from Washington-Alexandria Architecture Center: Virginia Tech School of Architecture + Design
- Ann-nelly Cotin from Howard University
- Jacori Schoolfield from University of the District of Columbia (UDC)
Third Place – Gateway to Chinatown
Team Members
- Cameron Wright from Howard University
- Carlos Sanchez from University of the District of Columbia (UDC)
- Jessica Lawson from Catholic University of America
- Laurin Brooks from University of Maryland
- Lilleana Watson from Morgan State University
- Z A Saleh Zebermai from Washington-Alexandria Architecture Center: Virginia Tech School of Architecture + Design
Faculty’s Choice Award – The Architecture of Disturbance!
Team Members
- Elizabeth Robele from Howard University
- Irfan Rabbat from University of Maryland
- Jade Harris from Morgan State University
- Nahida Sultana from Washington-Alexandria Architecture Center: Virginia Tech School of Architecture + Design
- Ann-nelly Cotin from Howard University
- Jacori Schoolfield from University of the District of Columbia (UDC)
People’s Choice Award – The Architecture of Disturbance!
Team Members
- Elizabeth Robele from Howard University
- Irfan Rabbat from University of Maryland
- Jade Harris from Morgan State University
- Nahida Sultana from Washington-Alexandria Architecture Center: Virginia Tech School of Architecture + Design
- Ann-nelly Cotin from Howard University
- Jacori Schoolfield from University of the District of Columbia (UDC)
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Instagram: @aianorthernvirginia
Facebook: @aianova
About AIA Northern Virginia
The American Institute of Architects Northern Virginia Chapter is a non-profit professional association representing more than 1,100 Northern Virginia architects, interns, and allied professionals. It encompasses 25 cities and counties in Virginia and was chartered by the American Institute of Architects in 1975. AIA Northern Virginia is one of five local components affiliated with AIA Virginia. The Chapter offers professional development, networking, and outreach opportunities as well as tours and lectures to advance the knowledge of architecture and practice among professionals and promote awareness and appreciation of architecture among the public.