M. Arch Student Receives AIA Fort Worth Honor Award

Master of Architecture student Alexis A. Carreon has received an Honor Award from the Fort Worth Chapter of the American Institute of Architects for her project “Texas Rowing Center.” Given annually, the AIA Fort Worth Excellence in Design Awards recognize outstanding work by students of the 8 accredited architecture schools of Texas. Only four projects were singled out for recognition this year, and Carreon’s project was the sole winner of the highest-level award given in the program.Only four projects were singled out for recognition this year, and Carreon’s project was the sole winner of the highest-level award given in the program.

Completed in Kevin Alter’s Fall 2021 Vertical Studio, Carreon’s proposal engages the Texas Rowing Center’s sense of place via a series of identical structures that act as frames for views and user experiences. The primary structure is open-air, and a steel screen filters views of boats and water. For her, it was important to emphasize the structure while ensuring it wasn’t too jarring in its casual context. Her solution: a slender, tall frame with a gable roof reminiscent of vernacular boathouse architecture. The public program and boat storage are integrated within these frames, and the buildings themselves act as unique objects within them. These heavy concrete buildings seem to rise from the water, and the contrast emphasizes the lightness of the tectonic frames.

The jury praised Carreon’s proposal: “The rhythm of the shell storage bays and attention to detailing of the building envelope make for an iconic structure I could imagine on this site. Graphically, the presentation was very effective and to the point as well.

Carreon will be officially honored during the AIA Fort Worth Awards Ceremony to be held at the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth on June 11.