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
    What roles and responsibilities do fields engaged in shaping the atmosphere of interiors assume in the age of extreme weather events unfolding across a heating planet? How do atmospheric patterns, traditions, metaphors, or mishaps from the past inform current interior responses? <br>
    @utsoa

    What roles and responsibilities do fields engaged in shaping the atmosphere of interiors assume in the age of extreme weather events unfolding across a heating planet? How do atmospheric patterns, traditions, metaphors, or mishaps from the past inform current interior responses?

  • Instagram Post
    Did you know “Goldsmith Courtyard” is formally named the Eden and Hal Box Courtyard? <br>
    @utsoa

    Did you know “Goldsmith Courtyard” is formally named the Eden and Hal Box Courtyard?

  • Instagram Post
    Gian-Claudia Sciara, associate professor of community and regional planning (CRP) at The University of Texas at Austin School of Architecture, has been selected for a Swiss National Science Foundation Scientific Exchange award to collaborate at the Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landsc
    @utsoa

    Gian-Claudia Sciara, associate professor of community and regional planning (CRP) at The University of Texas at Austin School of Architecture, has been selected for a Swiss National Science Foundation Scientific Exchange award to collaborate at the Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landsc

  • Instagram Post
    What is architecture’s role in shaping a sustainable and connected future? On Oct. 6, Marion Weiss and Michael Manfredi will examine that in their lecture, “DRIFTING SYMMETRIES: PROJECTS AND PROVOCATIONS.” <br>
    @utsoa

    What is architecture’s role in shaping a sustainable and connected future? On Oct. 6, Marion Weiss and Michael Manfredi will examine that in their lecture, “DRIFTING SYMMETRIES: PROJECTS AND PROVOCATIONS.”

  • Instagram Post
    📝 Applications are open for 2026-2027 undergraduate and graduate programs! <br><br>Apply today to join an interdisciplinary community of designers, planners, and scholars committed to creative exploration, ambitious scholarship and critical practice. <br><br>UTSOA at a glance:
    @utsoa

    📝 Applications are open for 2026-2027 undergraduate and graduate programs!

    Apply today to join an interdisciplinary community of designers, planners, and scholars committed to creative exploration, ambitious scholarship and critical practice.

    UTSOA at a glance:

  • Instagram Post
    Discover the hidden narrative of one of the world’s largest distributed freshwater reserves: aquifers. <br>
    @utsoa

    Discover the hidden narrative of one of the world’s largest distributed freshwater reserves: aquifers.

  • Instagram Post
    On Sept. 29, architectural designer, researcher and UTSOA visiting lecturer Toshiki Hirano (@artitec of @thd_arch) joins us for his lecture, "AESTHETICS OF (IN)EXCESS." <br>
    @utsoa

    On Sept. 29, architectural designer, researcher and UTSOA visiting lecturer Toshiki Hirano (@artitec of @thd_arch) joins us for his lecture, "AESTHETICS OF (IN)EXCESS."

  • Instagram Post
    🎉 We are thrilled to announce that Jessica Garza (BSID '26) has won the 2025 Senior Student Scholarship from the Angelo Donghia Foundation! Jessica Garza is one of 15 undergraduate interior design students in North America to receive this honor this year in the form of a $30,000 scholarship.
    @utsoa

    🎉 We are thrilled to announce that Jessica Garza (BSID '26) has won the 2025 Senior Student Scholarship from the Angelo Donghia Foundation! Jessica Garza is one of 15 undergraduate interior design students in North America to receive this honor this year in the form of a $30,000 scholarship.

  • Instagram Post
    Matt Fajkus already holds the titles of licensed architect, multiple award winner and Austin Design Icon. Now, he adds another achievement to his list: a promotion to Full Professor of Architecture. <br>
    @utsoa

    Matt Fajkus already holds the titles of licensed architect, multiple award winner and Austin Design Icon. Now, he adds another achievement to his list: a promotion to Full Professor of Architecture.