Exciting times for the AIA/ACSA COTE Top Ten for Students Competition!
First, we are thrilled to announce the 2024 winners! Please join me in congratulating the following students and faculty teams on their successful entries.
· Ahupua’a: Ecosystem Intervention + Building Design
Students: Andrew Fulmer & Coly Tabberson
Faculty: David Franco, Andreea Mihalache & Brandon Pass
Institution: Clemson University
· Arko Park: Reclaiming the Grounds
Student: Israel Zamorano
Faculty: Pedro Veloso
Institution: University of Arkansas
· Alamihi Village
Students: Jared Cook & Matthew Ngango
Faculty: David Franco, Andreea Mihalache & Brandon Pass
Institution: Clemson University
· Harvest Hub
Student: Cole Hollier
Faculty: Lavinia Fici Pasquina & Ezio Mattiace
Institution: Catholic University of America
· Stonehouse: More Than a Food Bank
Student: Yoon Hur
Faculty: Jaliya Fonseka
Institution: University of Waterloo
· Collaborative Avenue
Student: Matthew Schroeder
Faculty: Pedro Veloso
Institution: University of Arkansas
· Fire Station Park: An Elevated Experience
Students: Betty Chen, Rohith Dumpala & Alexis Winston
Faculty: Tyler Hinckley & Jacob Werner
Institution: Boston Architectural College
· Grow
Student: Madeline Hope Engen
Faculty: Jaliya Fonseka
Institution: University of Waterloo
· WAVE: Widely Accessible Vocational Education
Student: Sofia Gonzales
Collaborators: Kelly Kottlowski & Octavio Gutierrez
Faculty: Siobhan Rockcastle
Institution: University of Oregon
· Pinguatigaq
Students: Thomas Biscaro, Zian Charron & Thomas Laprise
Faculty: Claude Demers & André Potvin
Institution: Université Laval
A special thank you to our esteemed jury who reviewed the many, many deserving projects.
· Anthony Brower, Americas Head of Sustainability at Populous
· Robert Fleming, University of Pennsylvania
· Adrienne Johnson, Sustainability Program Lead at Google
· Nea Maloo, Howard University
· Nasra Nimaga, Perkins Eastman
· Erica Weeks, Paladin
· Shuang Yan, Richard Beard Architects
A second exciting development for the AIA / ACSA COTE Top Ten for Students Competition this month is the introduction of TWO CATEGORIES for the 2025 Competition. This evolution was inspired by the tremendous success of the Competition since its inception in 2014 and the desire to increase its impact to address the design challenges related to Human Health, Zero-Carbon, Resiliency and Equity.
The Student Competition was first held in 2015, under the leadership of Bill Leddy, FAIA and Chair of the Committee on the Environment (COTE) Leadership Group (LG). During its early years, the Competition benefitted from the tireless support of Marsha Maytum, FAIA, who led the effort to expand the Competition to ensure the lasting impact that we see today. This year, there were over 900 registrations from 1450 participants (students and faculty) representing 71 different schools. In addition, the Competition is growing internationally as entries have come from 8 unique countries.
In reaction to this widespread and growing interest, this upcoming year, the Competition will evolve to include two separate categories: a foundation level and an upper level, with the goal of encouraging adoption of the AIA’s Framework for Design Excellence into the foundational years of architecture curricula around the world. Per the ACSA 2025 Competition website, Category I, the Foundation Level, is open to students enrolled in first-year and second-year design studios, or related classes; in 2-year, 4-year, and undergraduate programs from any ACSA member school, including international member schools. Category II, the Upper Level, is open to upper-level students (third year or above, including graduate students) from any ACSA member schools, including international member schools. Please see the ACSA website for additional details regarding registration (now open), rules and awards.
We encourage all architecture faculty to consider registering for the 2025 competition. Many resources are available on the ACSA website including assignment briefs and criteria checklists. In addition, the ACSA can connect faculty with studio mentors by request .
If you are a professional looking to get involved with this impactful program, please reach out to your local architecture school or your alma mater to see if you can connect with a studio who will be participating in the competition. If you learn there isn’t a studio pursuing this competition, please invite them to consider it! Please also reach out to us at COTE@aia.org with any questions.
Robin Z. Puttock is a practicing architect with two decades of professional, national award-winning, sustainable design experience and eight years of international award-winning academic teaching, research and administration experience. She is an Assistant Professor at Kennesaw State University College of Architecture and Construction Management and the 2025 National AIA COTE Leadership Chair.