According to AIA’s website, the “program focuses on high quality, innovative design responses” and allows submissions created in and out of the classroom from throughout the past academic year.

Students from Miami made 33 submissions.

Soniha Nuzrat, a graduate, won second place for her thesis project on courtyard housing in New York City, entitled “Evaluating Cross Cultural Courtyard Housing for Social Well-Being in Manhattan, NY.” Nuzrat took home an $850 prize.

Two other Miami students received honorable mentions awards. 

Max Kokensparger, a graduate, was recognized for his maritime museum thesis project, “The Bridge: Maritime Museum and Community Educational Center“ and won $500. 

Frank Michel, a senior architecture major, was also rewarded $500 for “Healing the Quilt of the Myaamia”, his design centered on Miami’s local Myaamia tribe. His design serves to connect Miami with the tribe by acknowledging the tribe’s original, historical ownership of this land. 

“I am very grateful for receiving this recognition, and am honored to represent to the state and country just a small amount of the great work that comes from the undergraduate students in Miami’s architecture department,” Michel said. 

Michel thanks his professor, Terry Welker, for teaching him that “in order to make a place of healing, you must first heal the place,” which is what guided him to draw from Myaamian inspirations.