“Celebration of Excellence,” the Texas A&M Department of Architecture’s annual juried competition and awards presentation, is set for 2-7 p.m. Wednesday, May 9, 2017 at The Icehouse on Main, 800 N. Main St. in downtown Bryan.
“The event celebrates excellent student and faculty work from the past academic year,” said James Halliburton, associate department head and event organizer.
From 2:30-5 p.m., second-year Master of Architecture students will offer three-minute presentations on their final study projects to a jury of five distinguished architects and educators. Afterwards, the jury will convene behind closed doors to select the Best Overall Project based on the presentations and supporting project booklets provided prior to the event.
Serving as 2018 Celebration of Excellence jurist are:
- James Adams, senior associate at Corgan, a Dallas-based design firm;
- Lilia Gonzales, Texas A&M University architect;
- Greg Luhan, the University of Kentucky John Russell Groves Endowed Professor of Architecture;
- Craig Reynolds, principal, BRW Architects and an outstanding alumnus of the College of Architecture, and
- Tommy Upchurch, president, Upchurch Architects.
During the panel’s 5 – 6:30 p.m. deliberations, guest can enjoy hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar.
Posters and models of the best graduate and undergraduate design projects as selected by college faculty, will be on exhibit.
The jury’s top-10 final study projects announcement, set to begin at 6:30 p.m., will be followed by award presentations honoring faculty and student achievements.
The awards will include recognition of the best portfolios submitted by undergraduates for admission to upper-level studies.
Also, the American Institute of Architects’ Henry Adams Medal and Certificate will be presented to the graduate student who consistently delivered the most remarkable work.
For leadership, accomplishment, service and promise of professional merit, a graduate student will receive the 2018 Alpha Rho Chi Medal.
Outstanding faculty, selected in student polls, will also be recognized.
The program concludes with each juror identifying and commenting on their favorite project, followed by the competition’s top design selection.
The Celebration of Excellence is a project of the Department of Architecture’s Council of Excellence, an elite group of department friends and former students committed to supporting and enhancing architecture program excellence, building relationships with students, and bridging gaps between the academic and professional worlds.
For past Celebration of Excellence highlights, visit the corresponding page 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017.
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This story by Richard Nira originally appeared on ArchOne.
