AIA Virginia is pleased to announce the students recognized as honorees in 2019 AIA Virginia Prize competition.
AIA Virginia Prize
The top award and $3000 prize goes to Jackson Reed a student at Virginia Tech for the submission “Frames of Reference.” The jury recognized the elegant way the structure could be both unveiled and packed away, noting that there was “a kind of magic to how it captured the light.” The submission displayed a technical superiority and a “completeness” to its presentation. The jury appreciated the fresh approach to a shipping container building, particularly in the way the volume could be reconfigured.
Special Jury Award and Hampton University Best of School
The Best of School Award for Hampton University goes to Julian Washington for “Veggie Soul.” The jury appreciated that the submission was rooted in its cultural context as well as its inventive placement inside an existing building. They found the rendering particularly evocative, giving a true sense of the concept and placement. The jury found this submission particularly notable and elected to make a Special Jury Award of $500.
University of Virginia Best of School
The Best of School Award for University of Virginia goes to Taha Suhrawardy for “Sic Parvis Magna Café.” They jury enjoyed the design’s informality counterbalanced with its placement within a formal setting. Its lightweight characteristics and structural creativity were interesting. The approach to mobility was notable.
Washington-Alexandria Architecture Center Best of School
The Best of School Award for the Washington-Alexandria Architecture Center goes to Meredith Sattler for “Deadrise Oyster Bar.” This entry expressed what the environment has to offer in a really simple, pleasurable way. The jury found the response to the tidal condition interesting.
The following were recognized with an Honorable Mention
“The New Taste of Flow” submitted by Mengzhe Ye from University of Virginia 
“The Hangout” submitted by Gary Garner from Hampton University 
“King St. Pop Up Café” submitted by Juan Urey Fernandez from WAAC 
“The Fulcrum” submitted by Andy Merida from Virginia Tech 
“untitled” submitted by Anna Fletcher from Virginia Tech 
“Boba — A Pop Up Bubble Tea Shop” submitted by Kirt Hilker from Virginia Tech
“The New Taste of Flow” submitted by Mengzhe Ye and Weiran Jing from University of Virginia
The jury appreciated the graphic approach. They found the innovative and thoughtfully-considered user experience notable.
“The Hangout” submitted by Gary Garner from Hampton University
The jury found the idea of using readily-available swing equipment to create seating and a dining environment refreshing.
“King St. Pop Up Café” submitted by Juan Urey Fernandez from the Washington-Alexandria Architecture Center
The jury was pleased with the clean, comprehensive design. The site placement was clear and precise — there was little missing.
“The Fulcrum” submitted by Andy Merida from Virginia Tech
The jury appreciated the elegant simplicity of this submission and its implied invitation to engage your imagination.
“Boba — A Pop Up Bubble Tea Shop” submitted by Kirt Hilker from Virginia Tech
The jury delighted in the submission’s imaginative approach that was truly representative of a “pop up” café.
“untitled” submitted by Anna Fletcher from Virginia Tech
The jury found this entry and its story gripping. The graphics beautifully captured the mood and emotional context of the narrative.
About the Challenge
The competition — which took place over the weekend of Jan. 25–28 — challenged students to design a pop-up diner with a small kitchen, short-term supply storage, and a dining counter for standing and sitting customers. Students were asked to consider the energy, water, and waste flows in their solutions. [Read the full competition brief.]
About the AIA Virginia Prize
Conducted simultaneously at Hampton University, University of Virginia, Virginia Tech, and the Washington-Alexandria Architecture Center, the competition is a design charrette that engages students at all of the accredited schools of architecture in Virginia. Students are given the competition program on a Friday afternoon at 5 p.m. They work over the weekend to create a design solution and submit it by 9 a.m. the following Monday. The top submission wins a $3000 prize.
Launched in 1980, the competition is intended to promote collaboration between the profession, students, and professors in Virginia. Historically, the charrette has taken place in January, however over the last several years, the competition has been hosted in September to accommodate an ongoing scheduling conflict at one of the schools. Now that the conflict has been resolved, the Prize weekend has shifted back to the spring semester to better align with the demands of the academic calendar.
Development of the competition brief rotates between the four schools annually — the 2019 Prize challenge was developed by Virginia Tech.
About the Jury
Each school’s faculty reviews the submissions and sends up to 10 finalists to Richmond for final consideration by the following Jury.
Nick Serfass, FAIA, Executive Director, RVATECH | Jury Chair
Burt Pinnock, FAIA, Chairman, Baskervill
Lori Garrett, FAIA, Senior Principal & Director of Higher Education Studio, Glavé & Holmes
Patrick Thompson, Assoc. AIA, Associate, Commonwealth Architects
Donna Phaneuf, FAIA, President + Lead Design Principal, Via Design