STUDENT AWARDS

The School of Architecture recognizes exceptional work by students in the design disciplines through semesterly and annual student awards processes.

DEAN'S DESIGN DISTINCTION

Dean’s Design Distinction recognizes cumulative excellence in design as an outcome from the Undergraduate Portfolio Review processes. With input from the semester’s Portfolio Review teams, each Portfolio Review studio instructor may nominate up to two students for Dean’s Design Distinction. The Program Directors for Architecture and Interior Design* then review and confirm Dean’s Design Distinction selections.
*Beginning in Spring 2021. 

DESIGN EXCELLENCE

Design Excellence is a collaborative process among the Program Directors for Architecture, Interior Design, Landscape Architecture, and Student Affairs. Design Excellence winners are selected by a jury each academic year, and represent an exceptional level of accomplishment across our design disciplines and studio levels.

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  • Instagram Post
    Announcing our Fall 2025 lectures and events series: “Planetary Imaginaries” an expansive set of public engagements to reimagine our ethical and ecological responsibilities in the Anthropocene.
    @utsoa

    Announcing our Fall 2025 lectures and events series: “Planetary Imaginaries” an expansive set of public engagements to reimagine our ethical and ecological responsibilities in the Anthropocene.

  • Instagram Post
    It is with sadness that we share the news of the death of Professor Michael Benedikt, who passed away on August 13 at the age of 78. Benedikt was one of the school’s longest-serving faculty members, and a hallmark of this institution.<br>
    @utsoa

    It is with sadness that we share the news of the death of Professor Michael Benedikt, who passed away on August 13 at the age of 78. Benedikt was one of the school’s longest-serving faculty members, and a hallmark of this institution.

  • Instagram Post
    Masters of Science in Historic Preservation student Sonya Sehgal is the first recipient of the inaugural Theodore Prudon Education Fund Grant from Docomomo @dodomomous!
    @utsoa

    Masters of Science in Historic Preservation student Sonya Sehgal is the first recipient of the inaugural Theodore Prudon Education Fund Grant from Docomomo @dodomomous!

  • Instagram Post
    On view this fall in the Materials Lab 🌿Associate Professor Danelle Briscoe’s exhibition “Eco Illusions: The Plastic Behind the Green” asks the question: Can we truly call a system ‘green’ if it’s propped up by materials that may outlive the ecosystems they aim to sustain?<br>
    @utsoa

    On view this fall in the Materials Lab 🌿Associate Professor Danelle Briscoe’s exhibition “Eco Illusions: The Plastic Behind the Green” asks the question: Can we truly call a system ‘green’ if it’s propped up by materials that may outlive the ecosystems they aim to sustain?

  • Instagram Post
    Celebrating the accomplishments of our professors, UTSOA’s faculty studio features dive into the dynamic firms and individual practices that shape their expertise inside and outside the university. <br> <br>Our second feature is Alterstudio Partner Kevin Alter.<br>
    @utsoa

    Celebrating the accomplishments of our professors, UTSOA’s faculty studio features dive into the dynamic firms and individual practices that shape their expertise inside and outside the university.

    Our second feature is Alterstudio Partner Kevin Alter.

  • Instagram Post
    Join us in welcoming the new and visiting faculty joining the School of Architecture community this fall! <br> <br>▪️ Lidia Cano Pecharroman joins us as an Assistant Professor of Community and Regional Planning and the Director of the Extreme Weather Adaptation Lab at @thelbjschool
    @utsoa

    Join us in welcoming the new and visiting faculty joining the School of Architecture community this fall!

    ▪️ Lidia Cano Pecharroman joins us as an Assistant Professor of Community and Regional Planning and the Director of the Extreme Weather Adaptation Lab at @thelbjschool

  • Instagram Post
    Led by Senior Lecturer Robert Stepnoski (@robertstepnoski), the 2025 Summer course “Robots for Architecture” explored robotic automation in architectural design and fabrication using KUKA robots. <br>
    @utsoa

    Led by Senior Lecturer Robert Stepnoski (@robertstepnoski), the 2025 Summer course “Robots for Architecture” explored robotic automation in architectural design and fabrication using KUKA robots.

  • Instagram Post
    Our faculty are known for their expansive professional practices that extend beyond the university, so we’re kicking off a new series to feature the research and design work of our wonderful professors. <br>
    @utsoa

    Our faculty are known for their expansive professional practices that extend beyond the university, so we’re kicking off a new series to feature the research and design work of our wonderful professors.

  • Instagram Post
    A little quiet before the next creative storm. Two months down, two to go—see you in August. 🗓️
    @utsoa

    A little quiet before the next creative storm. Two months down, two to go—see you in August. 🗓️