Five Projects Recognized by the AIA Fort Worth Student Design AwardsJury

FortWorth, Texas - The Fort Worth Chapter of the American Institute of Architects announcethe results of their annual statewide Excellence in Architecture Student DesignAwards Jury.

TheAIA Fort Worth Excellence in Design Awards Program recognizes outstanding workby students of the 8 accredited architecture schools of Texas.  Annually, a jury of prominent regional architectsis assembled to select projects for recognition.   This year, the jury was led by Amy WynneLeveno, AIA, and Mark Leveno, AIA of OFFICIAL Design and Marissa Williams,Associate AIA of GFF.

The juryreviewed projects from 7 of the 8 accredited schools of Texas and singled out 5projects for recognition.  Two projects wereawarded the highest-level award, an Honor Award, which also includes a $500scholarship.  Three projects receivedMerit Awards.  These projects will be honoredduring the AIA Fort Worth Awards Ceremony to be held at the Modern Art Museumof Fort Worth on February 15, 2020.

2019 AIA Fort Worth Excellence in Design Awards

Honor Award:           

Project:  Existenzminimum

Student: Minhui Zhou

School: Rice University

Juror’s Comments: Super dense with ideas in a compact form, it packs a technical wallop.  It is elegantly rendered, logistically convincing, finely photographed, and is simply nice to look at.  - Mark Leveno, AIA

Honor Award:            

Project:  Urban Envelope

Students: Kejia Lu & Minhui Zhou

School: Rice University

Juror’s Comments: The logic of this design is expertly represented and refined.  It clearly communicates architectural intent with a thoroughness at all scales.  - Amy Leveno AIA

Merit Award:              

Project:  Light Box

Student: Kejia Lu

School: Rice University

Juror’s Comments: Existenzminimum 2030 Light Box has been awarded for its sophistication and execution of design and detail that holistically made the project stunning from start to finish. The conscious attention to detail throughout the drawings was well crafted in every diagram, drawing and render that made the language of Existenzminimum distinguished among its competitors. - Marissa Williams, Assoc. AIA

Merit Award:              

Project:  Industrial Recreation

Students: Lara Hansmann and Hannah Wang

School: Rice University

Juror’s Comments: I had a strong response to the simplicity and creative joy in these images.  It represents a carefree yet rational architectural ambition that is right up my alley. - Mark Leveno, AIA

Merit Award:              

Project:  Quito Water Speculation: Church of the Holy Water

Students: Mabel S.W. Loh & Molly Gasparre

School: The University of Texas at Austin

Juror’s Comments: The architecture is not shy with its forms, heavy materials, giant Jesus and all.  An interesting look at the modern spiritual space. - Amy Leveno AIA