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K-State Today

December 10, 2021

Architecture students win honors at 23rd annual Bowman Design Forum

Submitted by Megna Elzinga

Meredith Park 1st place design

Six architecture graduate students in K-State's College of Architecture, Planning & Design, or APDesign, displayed outstanding design work at the 23rd annual Bowman Design Forum on Dec. 1.

Sponsored by Manhattan architecture firm BBN Architects Inc. and hosted by APDesign, the forum brings acclaimed architects to campus to discuss work by students in the architecture department. The forum is an opportunity for students to present their work to architecture practitioners and educators for critiques.

One student from each of the department's six third-year studio sections was selected to present their design for a fire station in Wamego. Each student participant prepared drawings and a digital presentation.

The annual Bowman Design Forum was introduced by K-State alumnus Brent Bowman to expose third-year architecture students to the field's top professionals. This year's guest jurors were Brandon Pace, principal, and Michael Davis, architect, from Sanders Pace Architecture in Knoxville, Tennessee. Additional input was given by Austin Massoth, principal, and Aaron Dyck, architect, both from BBN Architects.

The following students were awarded a total of $3,750 in prizes:

• Meredith Park, Independence, Missouri, $1,500 for first place. Park is a student in the studio of Jongwan Kwon, assistant professor of architecture.

• Brittany Coudriet, Lincoln, Nebraska, $1,000 for second place. Coudriet is a student in the studio of Wendy Ornelas, professor of architecture.

• Shelby Thornton, Sublette, $500 for third place. Thornton is a student in the studio of Torgeir Norheim, associate professor of architecture.

• Lindsay Adams, Wichita, $250 finalist award. Adams is a student in the studio of Resa Kemper, visiting assistant professor of architecture.

• Libby Couture, Fort Collins, Colorado, $250 finalist award. Couture is a student in the studio of Todd Gabbard, associate professor of architecture.

• Ashlee Fish, Cosby, Missouri, $250 finalist award. Fish is a student in the studio of Jonathan Dessi-Olive, assistant professor of architecture.

"The program stretched their expertise and creativity by necessitating intensive research into the roles and space needs of firefighters and then in translating those requirements into a building that was suitable for the context of Wamego," said Wendy Ornelas, third-year level coordinator and professor of architecture. "Their designs also enhanced the civic aspects of a small town in the Flint Hills. The work of this year's nominees was aspirational and well received by their faculty, the jury and BBN Architects. The students impressed us with their investigative skills, passion and the precision of their designs."