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University at Buffalo, SUNY

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Metropolis Selects Two UB Architecture Students for Future100 Class of 2025

 

Two students in the UB School of Architecture and Planning – Kimia Ghaderian (MArch ’25) and Ying Wang (BS Arch ’25) – have been selected for the prestigious METROPOLIS Future100 class of 2025.

For more than 40 years, METROPOLIS magazine has featured projects, published insights, created resources, and organized events to keep its readers connected to the future of design. The METROPOLIS Future100 is an elite cohort of 500 emerging leaders who are poised to reshape the industries of architecture and interior design. Their outstanding work represents a bright and promising future defined by innovation, sustainability, inclusivity, and thoughtful design.

The application process is straightforward. On top of maintaining a stellar academic record, each applicant must provide a portfolio of their work and testimonials from faculty nominators.

Elaine Chow, clinical assistant professor in the Department of Architecture, played a crucial role in making both students aware of this opportunity. Her guidance brought the Future100 to Ghaderian’s attention early on, but she knew she wouldn’t be eligible to apply until her final year in the MArch program.

The following years were not without their difficulties. As an international student from Iran, Ghaderian struggled early on with the language barrier on top of her coursework. “In my first semester here, I had some challenges with my English,” she reflected. “So, I didn’t have much confidence in myself, but Joyce Hwang (professor, Department of Architecture) saw my potential and helped me believe in myself. She helped me see that while I’m coming from another country, I have knowledge to offer here.”

METROPOLIS Future100 remained a goal for Ghaderian, and in the fall 2024 semester, when Chow observed that her portfolio had the potential to be selected, she knew she had to proceed with an application.

Hwang, along with Adjunct Instructor Greg Serwata, provided nomination letters for Ghaderian’s application. “Kimia is an exceptional student,” Hwang shared. “In my graduate core studio, she stood out among her peers due to the high degree of curiosity, intensity, and rigor that she demonstrated through her work…She is an excellent spatial thinker who developed a uniquely experiential building design.”

Ghaderian continued to refine her portfolio but unexpectedly found herself hospitalized just before the deadline. While she could have understandably bowed out, Ghaderian stuck with it and completed her application from her hospital room. “If I didn’t do that, I would have really regretted it,” she concluded.

Now that she’s completing her master’s, Ghaderian plans to put academia aside for a while to gain more first-hand industry experience — discovering what she truly enjoys by immersing herself in the work. “I want to go into the industry and understand how my ideas could be built and how I can continue to improve. After a few years, I’ll make a decision about whether I want to continue with my PhD or not, but I need a bit of time for that.”

Wang was nominated by adjunct instructor Jon Spielman as well as Chow, with whom she worked closely through her junior-year studio and undergraduate portfolio seminar, as well as her involvement with the American Institute of Architecture Students (AIAS). Wang recognized and appreciated Chow’s support — “She really encouraged us to not just focus on studio but also on our overall career developments.”

Chow enthusiastically provided her nomination letter for Wang. “Ying is an enthusiastic student with high academic rigor, a responsible collaborator with creative problem-solving abilities and adept organizational skills,” she noted. “Her innate skill of spatial awareness enhances her individual capacity for innovative design solutions…Beyond her technical abilities, Ying is also a thoughtful and strategic designer. She embraces concept development and enthusiastically iterates on her ideas.”

As she finishes up her bachelor’s this spring, Wang is looking forward to continuing her education in a new setting through the MArch program at the University of Pennsylvania. “The work and experiences that I gained from UB prepared me with a solid background in architecture,” she reflected. “I would like to use that foundation to explore more of the world.

Both Ghaderian and Wang credit the strong community at the school for bolstering their academic growth. Wang shared, “UB provides great opportunities for people like me, first-generation students without experience in the field. All the professors I have met are really supportive, and UB builds a really inclusive environment for students coming from different backgrounds.”

Ghaderian, in particular, cited faculty support as an important part of her experience. “I always knew there were people here for me—whether I needed feedback on my portfolio or help with course materials. The faculty were always supportive and willing to guide me.”

As members of the METROPOLIS Future100 class of 2025, both students are honored in that publication and will also receive abundant networking opportunities with fellow members, industry leaders, and future employers. The opportunity has also provided a well-earned boost of confidence at an opportune time.  “This success helped me believe in myself and fueled my energy for moving forward,” Ghaderian expressed. “Sometimes opportunities don’t work out, but sometimes they actually do – METROPOLIS did!”

Wang agrees. “It encourages me to keep pushing into the future. I also hope to be an inspiration for people in future UB classes to apply for this opportunity.”

Penn State

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New Book by Stuckeman Architecture Professor Reexamines Le Corbusier’s Theories

 

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Mehrdad Hadighi, professor of architecture and Stuckeman School Professor of Advanced Studies in the College of Arts and Architecture at Penn State, explores one of famed architect Charles-Édouard Jeanneret’s buildings in his newly published book about the architect known professionally as Le Corbusier.

“Le Corbusier’s Ahmedabad Millowners’ Association Building: Between the Beautiful and the Sublime,” published by Birkhäuser, examines how the renowned architect’s theoretical concepts — particularly those articulated in the book “Towards a New Architecture” — are embodied in the design of the Millowners’ Association Building in Ahmedabad, India.

“Le Corbusier is undoubtedly one of the most influential architects of the 20th century; not only for his buildings but also for his writings,” Hadighi said.

The book juxtaposes Le Corbusier’s written theories with his built ones, situating his ideas within a theoretical framework. Central to Hadighi’s analysis is Le Corbusier’s engagement with the aesthetic concepts of the beautiful and the sublime.

Hadighi also explores the influence of key cultural and literary figures, such as French poet Paul Valéry, English art historian John Ruskin and German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche, on Le Corbusier’s thinking. In addition, the book delves into the late architect’s hallmark design elements such as the “promenade architecturale,” which refers to the intended journey or sequence of experiences a person has as they move through a building or architectural space, and the strategic use of “brise-soleils,” an architectural feature or system designed to block or redirect sunlight, typically for the purpose of reducing heat gain in buildings, in shaping spatial experience.

“[Le Corbusier’s] buildings put forth architectural agendas with immense clarity,” Hadighi said. “His writings, however, often present proclamations — offering little in the way of contextualizing his architectural theories within the broader history of architectural discourse, or in relation to his own work.”

“LC150+,” an exhibit celebrating Le Corbusier’s work that Hadighi helped organize, is open in the Stuckeman Family Building Rouse Gallery through May 18.

University at Buffalo, SUNY

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Erkin Özay Appointed Chair of UB’s Department of Architecture

 

The UB School of Architecture and Planning is pleased to announce that Erkin Özay has been named chair of the Department of Architecture. He succeeds Korydon Smith, who has served in the role since 2018.

A UB faculty member since 2014, Özay has held various roles at the School, including associate professor, director of undergraduate studies, and, for the last two years, associate dean for academic affairs.

“I am enthusiastic about Professor Özay’s stewardship of the department in the coming years,” Smith shared. “His leadership as both director of undergraduate studies and associate dean for academic affairs has been exemplary, and his community-based research on institutions will be invaluable to the diverse stakeholders in the department.”

Özay is also a registered architect, award-winning educator, and author of several publications, most recently Urban Renewal and School Reform in Baltimore: Rethinking the 21st Century Public Schools (Routledge, 2021). His research and teaching have been widely recognized by the professional community and architectural academy. A founding member of the Urban Design Research Group within UB’s Department of Architecture, his teaching focuses on contemporary challenges of housing and urban revitalization in weak market cities, and he seeks to expose his students to the multifaceted nature of urban practices beyond traditional and prescriptive models.

Prior to joining UB’s School of Architecture and Planning, Özay taught at the Harvard Graduate School of Design (GSD), University of Toronto, and Northeastern University. He was the Aga Khan Fellow at the Harvard GSD from 2011-2013.

In his new role at UB, Özay looks forward to supporting the Department’s faculty and students and advancing its upward trajectory. “A lot of positive changes are happening,” he shared. “Our student population is growing, we have an excellent dean who wants to do exciting things, and we’re rethinking the notion of design and architecture and how they impact our world. There’s an incredible energy that comes with that.”

As a long-time member of the School’s community, Özay is deeply attuned to both the strengths and the needs of the Department, and he recognizes that its supportive and caring culture is one of its greatest assets – one that he’s committed to upholding. “We have a way of making things better and navigating challenges collectively that I’m super inspired by. No one is on an island here, and we have dealt with many challenges in the past. I don’t think there’s a problem that we cannot solve because of our tight-knit community and culture of care.”

Özay will assume the role of chair starting in July 2025.

Penn State

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Manufacturing PA Innovation Program Funds Two Stuckeman-Led Research Projects

 

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — While the effects of the housing crisis and the environmental impacts of debris generated in the construction sector persist in the United States, two projects led by Penn State Stuckeman School architecture professors in the College of Arts and Architecture have earned funding to develop new methods to address these challenges while also bolstering the manufacturing industry in Pennsylvania.

José Duarte and Benay Gürsoy, both researchers in the Stuckeman Center for Design Computing (SCDC), have received funding through the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development’s (DCED) Manufacturing PA Innovation Program, also known as the PA Manufacturing Fellows Initiative, which “leverages the internationally acclaimed science and engineering talent and discovery capacity of all Pennsylvania’s institutions of higher education to help ensure that Pennsylvania remains a national and international leader in manufacturing and achieves the full economic potential for good well-paying manufacturing jobs,” according to the DCED website.

Jose Duarte, “Automated Reinforcement of In-place 3D Printing of Spanning Structures”

 

Duarte is the principal investigator (PI) on the project, which is an evolution of work he co-leads to develop technologies for 3D printing affordable housing out of concrete with researchers from the College of Engineering in the Additive Construction Lab (AddConLab). The project for which the grant is issued is based on preliminary work done by architecture graduate student and co-PI Ali Baghi during his master’s thesis at Penn State; Baghi is now pursuing his doctorate in architecture with a focus on design computing.

“For his master’s thesis, Ali developed a system for embedding cables within 3D-printed concrete filaments, enabling the construction of horizontal slabs and complex roof structures,” said Duarte, director of the SCDC and the Stuckeman Chair in Design Innovation. “With this award, we aim to refine the cable-entraining mechanism and expand its application to reinforced walls, enhancing structural strength and broadening its use.

The team’s manufacturing partner for the grant is X-Hab 3D, a startup company located in State College that was founded by several members from the AddConLab team at Penn State.

Using formwork in building construction accounts for about 40% of concrete construction costs and contradicts the automation of 3D concrete printing as more concrete is used and more skilled labor is needed to carry out the printing. Therefore, Baghi’s research looks to address some of the issues surrounding the viscoelastic nature of printing fresh concrete to allow for in-place formwork-free printing and thus optimal assembly for structural slabs of concrete with less construction waste.

According to Duarte, Baghi’s research focuses specifically on the 3D printing of raised floor slabs, a critical advancement that makes the construction of two-story houses feasible.

Baghi said the team will explore the potential of incorporating different flexible reinforcement materials — cables and mesh — into the concrete extruded filament, “so we can determine which method will allow for in-place slab printing that does not require formwork, or molds, with minimal human intervention.”

The final co-PI on the project is Sven Bilén, professor of engineering design, electrical engineering and aerospace engineering, whose expertise in robotic concrete printing systems will allow for the advancement of the current robotic printer used by the team for full-scale, in-place 3D concrete printing of flat slabs.

“Ali is using a systems approach as he extends the current capabilities of 3D concrete printing to include printing of cable-entrained slabs,” Bilén said. “He is immediately applying the processes I taught him in ‘EDGN 558: Systems Design,’ enabling him to make significant advances in implementing this challenging system.”

Nathan Brown, assistant professor of architectural engineering who specializes in data-driven methods for early-stage computational building design, also serves on the team and will focus on finite element analysis — which is a computer-aided engineering tool used to predict how structures and components will behave under various conditions

Also joining the team is Sanjay Joshi, professor of industrial and manufacturing engineering, who will bring his expertise in additive manufacturing, process planning and control systems to help design experiments, parameterization of process and material factors and development of custom devices needed for the process.

“Manufacturing process development is essential for transforming product designs into scalable production methods,” Joshi said. “Optimizing process variables is important because it directly impacts product quality, and it improves process consistency and repeatability needed in an industrial process.”

According to Duarte, the ultimate goal of the 3D concrete printing work being done at Penn State is to enable the complete 3D printing of homes — including foundations, walls, slabs and roofs.

“The system for 3D concrete printing was initially proposed for the NASA 3D Printed Habitat Challenge and subsequently developed at X-Hab 3D,” he said. This work proposed in the grant expands this system by enabling the 3D printing of raised floor slabs, which significantly enhances design flexibility within the field of 3D printed construction.

Benay Gürsoy, “Characterization of Mycelium-Based Composites Cultivated Using Spent Substrate for Manufacturing Biodegradable Building Materials”

 

Gürsoy is leading this interdisciplinary project, which builds on her research using composites made from mycelium, or the root of mushrooms, to create sustainable building materials. The goal of her work is to make use of these naturally produced materials to construct building components rather than using traditional manmade polymers and petroleum-based components, which either cannot decay naturally or take centuries to degrade in landfills.

Gürsoy is joined by co-PI John Pecchia, associate research professor in the Department of Plant Pathology and director of the Mushroom Research Center, and several undergraduate and graduate students.

The team has partnered with Phillips Mushroom Farm, the largest specialty mushroom grower in Pennsylvania, to use the waste produced from growing mushrooms that the farm discards, known as “spent substrate,” to cultivate various mycelium-based composites for building components.

“This project will provide Pennsylvania mushroom farms with alternative ways to use their facilities and add value to their by-products,” explained Gürsoy. “There is an increasing number of companies that produce mycelium-based materials, so those businesses would be interested [in this research] by providing them with new opportunities to develop these materials in collaboration with mushroom growers in Pennsylvania.”

The team will run tests to characterize the composites’ mechanical properties — including compression, tension and bending — as well as the insulative properties, such as acoustic and thermal capabilities.

“Using the results of the tests, we can suggest possible ways that the Phillips Mushroom Farm can use their waste for manufacturing sustainable materials,” Gürsoy said.

A growing number of architects are exploring the use of mycelium-based composites for building components, as it could significantly decrease the amount of construction and demolition waste generated by the industry. It could also eliminate the reliance on fossil fuels during the manufacturing process and reduce the embodied carbon required for the construction of buildings.

“This project represents a partnership with the Pennsylvania mushroom industry to focus on developing sustainable approaches to the use of spent mushroom substrate,” said Maria del Mar Jimenez-Gasco, professor and head of the Department of Plant Pathology and Environmental Microbiology. “Alternative uses of mycelium and the development of environmentally sustainable mushroom production practices to support the Pennsylvania industry are major priorities of our department and the College of Agricultural Sciences at Penn State.”

Tulane University

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Alum Ron Carrere (Msred ’24) Elected as Board Chairman of the Urban League of Louisiana

 

Tulane School of Architecture alum Ron Carrere (MSRED ’24) was elected as Board Chairman of the Urban League of Louisiana. Working with his fellow board members, Carrere helps guide the organization in fulfilling its mission and serving communities across Louisiana.

Since 1938, the Urban League has served Greater New Orleans with a mission to assist underserved communities in securing economic self-reliance, parity, power, and civil rights. That mission expanded statewide in 2016, and focuses on programs to ensure quality education and access to information, employment, entrepreneurial and economic inclusion opportunities, and shared dignity under the law.

“I am honored to serve on the board of the Urban League of Louisiana alongside an incredible group of individuals committed to advancing the organization’s mission,” said Carrere. “My time at Tulane University was instrumental in my growth, preparing me for this responsibility and inspiring me to accept an opportunity to serve as a member of President Verret’s Cabinet at Xavier University of Louisiana.”

Carrere also reflected on Tulane’s lasting influence on his professional and personal journey. “Even before attending Tulane, I deeply appreciated the generosity and support Tulane University extended to the Amistad Research Center,” he shared. “I fondly remember a special evening on campus for the Conversations in Color speaker series when President Fitts bestowed the title of honorary Tulane alumna upon Mrs. Sybil Haydel Morial. That heartfelt act of leadership left a lasting impression on me. I remain grateful for President Fitts’ example of authentic leadership and strive to reflect those same values in my own service.”

The Tulane School of Architecture celebrates Carrere’s achievement and looks forward to seeing the impact of his leadership in the years ahead.

Tulane University

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Alumni Improves Healthcare Access in Cao Bang, Vietnam

 

Alumni Todd Erlandson (M.Arch ’87), partner Leigh Hoffman (Newcomb ’84), and the March Studio team recently celebrated the opening of the Good Samaritan Family Medical Center in Cao Bang, Vietnam. This milestone marks the culmination of a 20-year collaboration with Dr. Vien Doan to bring a state-of-the-art healthcare center to a remote community in Vietnam.

The project, which broke ground in 2019, exemplifies the global impact of Tulane Architecture alumni. Despite facing numerous hurdles, including significant delays due to the Covid-19 pandemic, their commitment never wavered. Todd and his team were honored to attend the grand opening and witness the first patients benefiting from the facility.

The design of the medical center required meticulous attention to detail and adaptability to local conditions. This involved translating and reviewing all drawings to ensure they met local standards and were practical for the region’s unique needs. The challenges of adapting the building’s landscape to local irrigation systems were particularly significant, requiring modifications to ensure both maintainability and accessibility.

Reflecting on the impact of their work, Erlandson stated, “The appreciation of the people of Cao Bang for the building was the high point of the trip. Being able to sit in the reception area, speak to the patients through an interpreter, and hear their comments about the airiness of the building, its light-filled qualities, and the feeling that it had been made for them with dignity really made the project worthwhile.”

With the Good Samaritan Family Medical Center now operational, the team is already planning a second project nearby, hoping to replicate their success and continue contributing to the health and well-being of the Cao Bang community.

Tulane University

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Tulane Alumnus Publishes New Book Rebuilding the American Town

 

Tulane alumnus Patty Heyda (BArch ’95), currently a Professor of Urban Design and Architecture at Washington University in St. Louis, has co-authored an insightful new book with David Gamble titled Rebuilding the American Town. This publication explores innovative urban design and planning strategies used by smaller municipalities across the United States to foster meaningful redevelopment amid various contemporary challenges.

In Rebuilding the American Town, Heyda and Gamble present a series of case studies from nine U.S. towns, each selected for their unique spatial-economic typologies and geographic traits. The book dives deep into how these towns have creatively tackled issues of metropolitan sprawl, population shifts, economic shortfalls, and climate change, positioning themselves as vibrant, equitable, and viable communities. Through interviews and insights from those directly involved in these transformations, the authors reveal both the challenges and the unexpected advantages smaller cities face in the current socio-economic climate.

The book has garnered critical acclaim from notable figures in urban planning and development. Maurice Cox, a professor and former Commissioner of the Chicago Department of Planning and Development, praised the book, stating, “Rebuilding the American Town is a love letter to our small cities and towns and confirms that spectacular urban design and planning outcomes can be found in the most unlikely places. Towns deserve to be our true laboratories for urban innovation and regeneration.” Additional commendations come from Shaun Donovan, U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (2009–2014); CEO and President, Enterprise Community Partners, among many other esteemed reviewers.

Heyda’s work not only highlights the progressive, experimental nature of small-town America but also reframes our understanding of contemporary urbanism. It shifts focus from large metropolitan concerns to innovative, tactical strategies that enhance the quality of life through thoughtful design and scaled policies. This book is an essential read for anyone interested in how urban spaces can adapt to modern demands while preserving and enhancing community integrity.

Tulane University

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School Introduces New Name as Its Renovated Home Reopens

 

For over a century, the Tulane School of Architecture has shaped the built environment through architectural education, preservation, and urban innovation. Now, we are introducing the Tulane School of Architecture and Built Environment, an expanded name that reflects the breadth of the school’s academic offerings and the limitless potential of those who learn here.

Rooted in the vibrant cultural fabric of New Orleans, the School of Architecture and Built Environment will always be a home for students and faculty dedicated to design excellence, sustainability, and societal impact. As the world evolves, so must the school’s mission. The disciplines that shape our cities and spaces have expanded far beyond architecture alone.

To honor our legacy while broadening our reach, the school is embracing a new identity — one that acknowledges the full scope of expertise and impact of its students and faculty. This transformation reflects our community, whose contributions continue to shape the identity and future of the school.

The School of Architecture and Built Environment’s transformation was driven by three key goals:

Seeing everything beyond the lens of one discipline. The interconnection of the built environment cannot be ignored. The school is determined to provide its students with the most well-rounded education so they can have the greatest impact in their professional careers.

Creating a more inclusive academic community. This shift ensures that the school’s entire community of students, faculty, and alumni feel represented, whether they are architects, urban planners, designers, or beyond. This community is at the heart of everything we do, and this change ensures that every member of our community feels valued and supported in their efforts to push boundaries.
Honoring our architectural foundation while leading the movement in academics. This change is not about leaving behind what made us exceptional — it’s about embracing other disciplines to spark the shift for the school and its peers in the academic world.

Over the past year, the School of Architecture and Built Environment engaged in a deliberate, collaborative process to ensure that this name change reflects its values and aspirations.

What actions were taken?
The name expansion proposal was presented and discussed at faculty meetings, surveys, listening sessions, and open conversations. These discussions were supported by extensive research into naming conventions, structures, and precedents at peer institutions worldwide.

Who was involved?
The school engaged a well-rounded group of faculty, staff, students, alumni, and external stakeholders to have a broad range of perspectives shared.

How does this align with our values?
Through these discussions, a clear path emerged: the expanded name should retain “Architecture” to honor the school’s foundation while embracing the broader concept of the “Built Environment” to grow as a community and create a better experience for all disciplines.

“The expanded name is a not just a reflection of who and what the school is today, but, rather, it is also a reflection of where the school wants to go.”Iñaki Alday Dean of the school

At the Tulane School of Architecture and Built Environment, “The Place to B.E.” is more than just a tagline — it’s a call to action. It’s where ideas take shape, where disciplines converge, and where the next generation of leaders in the built environment finds its voice. This is a place where students, faculty, and industry professionals push boundaries to BE part of a better future.

The place to design, influence, and transform the built environment in ways that impact our community and the world.

The place to be experimental, innovative, and driven in shaping the spaces where people live, work, and connect.

The place where history, creativity, and research fuel progress and redefine what’s possible.

Here, you don’t just learn about the built environment — you actively shape it.

This moment is just the beginning. With a new name and a renewed mission, the School of Architecture and Built Environment is forging rigorous and rewarding pathways for the next generation of leaders in the built environment. Whether you are a current student, an alum, or a prospective applicant, we invite you to be part of this exciting future. At the School of Architecture and Built Environment, who are you going to B.E.?

Miami University

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Miami University Welcomes New Chair of Architecture and Interior Design

 

The College of Creative Arts is excited to welcome Elizabeth Martin-Malikian as the new Department of Architecture and Interior Design chair and professor.

“I am deeply committed to the College’s mission and eager to collaborate with its distinguished faculty, dedicated staff, and talented students to advance our shared vision,” Martin-Malikian said. “Miami University fosters an environment where creativity, innovation, and sustainability intersect to shape the next generation of designers and scholars.”

Martin-Malikian has lectured at several universities, including Kennesaw State University, Auburn University, the University of Edinburgh, and Columbia University. She also served as CEO and executive director for The Cosanti Foundation, an ecologically focused architecture nonprofit. Most recently, Martin-Malikian used her expertise to coach and consult higher education institutions and nonprofits.

Her extensive blend of education, practice, and leadership positions her to provide a new perspective for the department. Martin-Malikian serves as a National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB) evaluator, and said she plans to incorporate what she’s learned about accreditation and education standards into this new role.

“I look forward to leveraging this background to expand partnerships, create new opportunities for students and faculty, and position the department as a leader in socially and environmentally responsive design education,” she said.

One key focus for Martin-Malikian when she assumes the chair position in July will be progressing the department’s curriculum to meet the needs of the industry today.

“By integrating emerging technologies, expanding cross-disciplinary collaboration, and reinforcing a critical and ethical approach to design, we will equip students with the skills and perspectives necessary to address contemporary challenges,” she said.

Martin-Malikian said she looks forward to “pushing the boundaries of design education” and “preparing students to lead with clarity of vision, a strong ethical foundation, and a profound sense of responsibility to the world around them.”

“The department has a distinguished history of excellence, and I am excited to contribute to its continued growth by expanding opportunities for interdisciplinary and experiential learning, fostering forward-thinking research, and deepening engagement with the built environment,” she said.

See the link for the College of Creative Arts announcement: https://miamioh.edu/cca/news-events/2025/04/martin-malikian-new-archid-chair.html

Penn State

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Architecture Grad Students Earn Gold Mention in International Design Competition

 

University Park, Pa. – A project by two Stuckeman School architecture graduate students in the Penn State College of Arts and Architecture earned fifth place overall in the worldwide TerraViva “Easdale Ferry Office” Competition that welcomed entries from students as well as professional design practices.

Joshua Conroy and Paul Lanka, both master of architecture students, earned a Gold Mention Award for their submission to the prompt that challenged architects and designers “to envision a new ferry hub” that would enhance the arrival experience on Easdale Island, which is located along Scotland’s west coast. They were asked to renovate and extend the existing structures on the site, and to integrate the new office and waiting area into the rugged coastal landscape.

Titled “Harbor View,” Conroy and Lanka’s submission focused on the existing structure and its relationship to the site and expanding from there. According to the project description, “Since the project did not have a required square footage, the existing office became a guide for defining the scope of our proposal . . . the expansion reaches towards the harbor, becoming visible to travelers from Ellenabeich [a town located directly opposite Easdale Island] and the harbor inlet.”

The goal of their project, said the students, was “… to create a space that enhances the visitor experience [on Easdale Island] while avoiding the possibility of overstepping the impact of this new architecture on the island.”

According to comments provided by the jury, the Penn State students’ entry “… prioritizes architectural expression with a striking roofing volume.”

The international jury for the competition was comprised of: Stephen Roberts, architect and a lecturer of architectural design at Northumbria University in New Castle (UK); Nuria Vidal Domper, architect/urban planner and co-owner of the firm DomperCastells in Switzerland; Kefei Yan, urban designer/planner with Foster + Partners in London; and Maria Alejandra Icaza P., multidisciplinary designer and architect with Luis Pons Design Lab in Miami.

“It was very encouraging to receive external recognition of our work,” said Conroy and Lanka. “Being able to compete against a wide variety of other designers and architects speaks to the significance of the skills we have learned during our education at Penn State.”

Conroy and Lanka’s project, as well as the other winning submissions, can be viewed on the TerraViva website.

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