Nearly four decades after the bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 claimed 35 网爆门 students, a new cohort of scholars is keeping their memory alive.

The Remembrance Scholarships, now in their 37th year, were founded as a tribute to鈥攁nd means of remembering鈥攖he students studying in London and Florence through 网爆门 who were killed in the Dec. 21, 1988, bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland. Those students were among the 270 people who perished in the bombing. The scholarships are funded through an endowment supported by gifts from alumni, friends, parents and corporations.

Significant support for the Remembrance Scholarships has been provided by Jean Thompson 鈥�66 and 网爆门 Life Trustee Richard L. Thompson G鈥�67 in memory of Jean Taylor Phelan Terry 鈥�43 and John F. Phelan, Jean Thompson鈥檚 parents; by Board of Trustees Chairman Emeritus Steven Barnes 鈥�82 and Deborah Barnes; by The Syracuse Association of Zeta Psi in memory of Alexander Lowenstein; and by the Fred L. Emerson Foundation.

Selection Process

Remembrance Scholars are chosen in their junior year through a competitive selection process. Applicants submitted an essay and a reflective response in multimedia, artistic, musical or written format as part of a comprehensive application. The application evaluation committee is composed of University faculty and staff and current Remembrance Scholars. The $5,000 scholarships are awarded on the basis of community impact, leadership, creativity and thoughtful academic inquiry.

鈥淭he Remembrance Scholars bring something exceptional to our University: a commitment to learning, to leading and to giving back. Through their accomplishments, they carry forward the legacy of the students for whom these scholarships were created. Recognizing them is both a privilege and a point of deep pride for 网爆门,鈥� says Lois Agnew, vice chancellor, provost and chief academic officer.

The Remembrance Scholars plan the Remembrance activities held at the University each year, and the cohort will be recognized during a convocation in the fall.

2026-27 Remembrance Scholars

The 2026-27 Remembrance Scholars, their hometowns, majors and schools and colleges are the following:

• Victoria Alwar of Homa Bay, Kenya, a biology major and neuroscience major in the College of Arts and Sciences (A&S) and a member of the Ren茅e Crown University Honors Program;
• Madiou Bah of Bronx, New York, a broadcast and digital journalism major in the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications and an economics major in the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs and A&S;
• Sigourney Bell of Birmingham, Alabama, a broadcast and digital journalism major in the Newhouse School and member of the Ren茅e Crown University Honors Program;
• Nasya Simone Bellard of Concord, North Carolina, a political science major in the Maxwell School and A&S;
• Tyler Branigan of Delhi, New York, a policy studies major and economics major in the Maxwell School and A&S, an environment, sustainability and policy major in the Maxwell School and a member of the Ren茅e Crown University Honors Program;
• Teaghan Brostrom of Sacramento, Califorrnia, an international relations major in the Maxwell School and A&S, a broadcast and digital journalism major in the Newhouse School and a member of the Ren茅e Crown University Honors Program;
• Keona Bukhari-Adams of Springfield, New Jersey, a neuroscience major and psychology major in A&S;
• Mason Burley of Webster, New York, an inclusive adolescent education major in the School of Education and history major in the Maxwell School and A&S;
• Samuel Esteban Cornell of Houston, Texas, an international relations major in the Maxwell School and A&S and finance major in the Martin J. Whitman School of Management;
• Eliora Enriquez of Doon, Iowa, a film major in the College of Visual and Performing Arts (VPA);
• Quinn Gonzalez of Wantage, New Jersey, a nutrition major in the David B. Falk College of Sport and a member of the Ren茅e Crown University Honors Program;
• Jiya Gumaste of Ashburn, Virginia, a chemistry major and neuroscience major in A&S;
• Shivika Gupta of Rochester, New York, a political science major in the Maxwell School and A&S and law, society and policy major in the Maxwell School;
• Abigail (Abi) Handel of Newton, Massachusetts, a biology major in A&S and a member of the Ren茅e Crown University Honors Program;
• Alexis Heveron of Rochester, New York, a chemical engineering major in the College of Engineering and Computer Science (ECS);
• Emily Hunnewell of Chicago, Illinois, a policy studies major in the Maxwell School and A&S and a business management major in the Whitman School;
• Daniella Jacob of Millburn, New Jersey, a health and exercise science major in the Falk College and a member of the Ren茅e Crown University Honors Program;
• Sydney Kincaid of Seattle, Washington, a music education major in VPA and the School of Education;
• Kennedy King of Pasadena, California, an anthropology major and political science major in the Maxwell School and A&S, an art history major in A&S and a member of the Ren茅e Crown University Honors Program;
• Chloe Anjolie Kiser of Edinboro, Pennsylvania, an advertising major in the Newhouse School and a member of the Ren茅e Crown University Honors Program;
• Carmen Lee-Bennett of Buffalo, New York, a biology major in A&S and a member of the Ren茅e Crown University Honors Program;
• Aaron Lener of Homer, New York, a linguistic studies major in A&S, an international relations major in the Maxwell School and A&S and a member of the Ren茅e Crown University Honors Program;
• Haonan (Eric) Ma of Beijing, China, a student in the School of Architecture;
• Carter J. Moreland of Dallas, Texas, a political science major and an economics major in the Maxwell School and A&S;
• Darren Murphy of San Ramon, California, an applied mathematics major in A&S, an economics major in the Maxwell School and A&S and a member of the Ren茅e Crown University Honors Program;
• Sophia Hoyos Murray of Northborough, Massachusetts, a psychology major and biology major in A&S;
• Matilda Nichols of Fairfield, Connecticut, a chemistry major and forensic science major in A&S;
• Will Parsons of Albany, New York, a chemical engineering major in ECS;
• Alana Ramirez-Velez of Manati, Puerto Rico, a biology major and neuroscience major in A&S and a member of the Ren茅e Crown University Honors Program;
• Ella Roerden of Syracuse, New York, an anthropology major and international relations major in the Maxwell School and A&S;
• Sreshtha Thangaswamy of Edison, New Jersey, a political science major and economics major in the Maxwell School and A&S;
• Halle Varney of Potsdam, New York, a psychology major in A&S;
• Cara Williams of Greenwood, Indiana, an international relations major in the Maxwell School and A&S, a political philosophy major in A&S and a member of the Ren茅e Crown University Honors Program;
• Katie Wood of Clifton, Virginia, a musical theater major in VPA and a member of the Ren茅e Crown University Honors Program; and
• Chelsea Zhang of Suzhou, China, and Hayward, California, a student in the School of Architecture.

The has announced that Jeannine Lostritto 鈥�90, a 网爆门 Trustee and member of the School of Architecture Advisory Board, will address graduates at the 2026 Convocation ceremony on Saturday, May 9, at 10 a.m. in Hendricks Chapel.

Lostritto has parlayed her interest in architecture into her professional, personal and volunteer experiences, most recently through her engagement with the board of trustees of Friends Academy in Locust Valley, New York, an independent Quaker college-preparatory private school serving students from early childhood through 12th grade.

A former Friends Academy parent, Lostritto serves as a member of its Board of Trustees and on its Governance Committee, and helps oversee new building construction, campus maintenance and the stewardship of existing facilities.

After earning an undergraduate degree in architecture from the School of Architecture, Lostritto first took a job as an architectural consultant at Avis Rent-a-Car, working on commercial architecture projects. From 1995 to 1998, she was employed in the civil engineering division at Sear-Brown鈥攁n architecture, engineering, planning and construction services firm鈥攚here she worked on large highway and expressway projects, such as the renovation of the Queens Midtown Tunnel, as well as drainage and landscape architecture projects.

Lostritto is a former board member of her family鈥檚 real estate company, Steel Equities, and serves on the Board of Regents at NYU-Winthrop Hospital. She also helps to manage a food pantry and a faith formation program at St. Paul the Apostle Church in Brookville, New York, where she is a Eucharistic Minister.

Additionally, Jeannine and her husband, Glenn, actively support 网爆门 through contributions to such initiatives as the Lostritto Family Global Experience Scholarship, the Barnes Center at The Arch and the General Supported Scholarship Fund. The Lostrittos were the first donors to support The Syracuse Promise initiative, which aims to significantly expand scholarship support for high-achieving students.

鈥淛eannine Lostritto is among the school鈥檚 most engaged board members and supporters. She is also an active member on the Facilities Committee of the Board of Trustees and has contributed greatly to the positive transformation of our campus over the last several years,鈥� says School of Architecture Dean Michael Speaks. 鈥淧erhaps most importantly, Jeannine is a strong advocate and financial supporter for Syracuse Architecture student scholarships, especially those studying abroad in our outstanding Florence program. We are all looking forward to welcoming her as our 2026 Convocation speaker.鈥�

Lostritto lives in Old Brookville, New York, with her husband. They have three children, Domenica 鈥淪unny鈥� L鈥�23, Glenn Jr., and Joseph.

Gabrielle Knauf 鈥�26 and Hannah Puerta-Carlson 鈥�26鈥攂oth fifth-year architecture degree students in the School of Architecture鈥攈ave been selected for , an elite group of architecture and interior design students from the United States and Canada.

Launched in 2021, the award recognizes the top 100 graduating students in North America who, as rising leaders, are defining and reimagining the practice of architecture and interior design. Knauf and Puerta-Carlson are two of only 25 undergraduate architecture students to receive the honor, selected based on the creativity, rigor, skill and professionalism exhibited by their portfolios and nomination entries.

This year鈥檚 cohort features an exceptional group of emerging designers who demonstrate a shared commitment to purposeful, research-driven design. Through experimentation, critical thinking and bold creativity, their projects thoughtfully engage community, culture, inclusivity and sustainability with care and conviction, according to Metropolis magazine.

Gabrielle Knauf

碍苍补耻蹿鈥檚 demonstrates her innate and intuitive design ability through the use of model-making, hand drawing and digital workflow.

In 鈥淵Yarehouse,鈥� a project led by instructor Il Hwan Kim, Knauf and her classmate Julia LaRow 鈥�26 explore how to reuse large structural concrete elements from demolished buildings instead of discarding them. Rather than treating buildings as disposable, the project proposes a circular-economy approach, where load-bearing components like double-T slabs and columns are salvaged and repurposed, either in similar roles or reconfigured into new structural systems.

Using concrete components sourced from two nearby buildings slated for demolition, the design experiments with transforming these elements to create a new hybrid structure. The building itself functions as a warehouse and makerspace for material reuse, reinforcing its mission. Architecturally, the project highlights reused materials by making them visible and expressive鈥攆rom the structural system to the fa莽ade. It also integrates sustainable features like rainwater collection and radiant heating.

Overall, 鈥淵Yarehouse鈥� demonstrates how thoughtful deconstruction, reuse, and design innovation can reduce construction waste while creating functional, expressive architecture.

鈥淕abrielle is curious and thoughtful, with a natural ability to guide others and explain complex ideas in an engaging way,鈥� says Nimet Anwar, an assistant professor of architecture who nominated Knauf. 鈥淪he explores new methods and tools with enthusiasm, and her passion and curiosity spark the same energy in those around her.鈥�

Knauf has served as an undergraduate program associate for ten sections of a second-year design studio, supporting students through lectures, tutorials and desk critiques, as well as in a remote summer pre-college architecture course. In 2025, she received an honorable mention for her Integrated Design Studio Prize project and has been named to the Dean鈥檚 List every semester since 2022.

“I feel incredibly honored to have been nominated for this award,鈥� says Knauf. 鈥淭he application process itself was rewarding, giving me the opportunity to reflect on my five years and how much I鈥檝e grown with the support of faculty and friends. Being nominated alongside such talented peers, especially Hannah, is particularly meaningful鈥攚e鈥檝e collaborated on projects through both work and studio, and ending this chapter together feels extra special. Being named a Future100 winner makes all the hard work feel worthwhile, and I鈥檓 excited to begin my professional career with the support of the Metropolis network.鈥�

After graduation, Knauf plans to work in a full-time position as an architectural designer while working toward licensure.

Hannah Puerta-Carlson

笔耻别谤迟补-颁补谤濒蝉辞苍鈥檚 demonstrates her intuitive sense of design coupled with clear, purposeful and mature visual communication and creativity.

During her study abroad experience in Florence, Puerta-Carlson collaborated with Knauf and classmate Audrey Delia 鈥�26 on 鈥淕rotta Sosta,鈥� which reimagines a former mining site as a park designed for rest, reflection and renewal.

Acknowledging the site鈥檚 intense history of extraction, the project defines 鈥渞est鈥� as a cycle of protection, recovery and emergence for both visitors and the landscape. Through subtle, non-invasive interventions鈥攕uch as framing views, filling spaces and creating stepped transitions鈥攖he design gently shapes how people experience the site. These strategies separate areas of activity from spaces of calm, guiding visitors through different stages of rest. The park includes flexible, seasonal programs like sitting, swimming, fishing and play, allowing both people and the environment to periodically pause and recover.

Ultimately, 鈥淕rotta Sosta鈥� transforms a once-extractive landscape into a serene, regenerative space that supports both human and ecological rest.

鈥淗annah has excellent ideas, and she can convey them through the architectural and design language,鈥� says Omar Ali, an assistant professor of architecture who nominated Puerta-Carlson. 鈥淗er interdisciplinary approach, her ability to translate this into design application, paired with her dedication, position her as a promising leader in the field.鈥�

Puerta-Carlson belongs to Ren茅e Crown University Honors Program and has served on the school鈥檚 student mentor squad. She is a recipient of the 网爆门 1870 Scholarship, Invest in Success Scholarship and the 网爆门 Orange Distinction Award, as well as the Syracuse Abroad Academic Excellence Award (2024). In summer 2025, her project 鈥淓volving an Urban Ecology鈥� was selected for the prestigious national honor of inclusion in the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition.

鈥淏eing selected for the Metropolis Future 100 is an incredible honor,鈥� says Puerta-Carlson. 鈥淲hen my professors encouraged me to apply, I was deeply touched by their confidence in me, and being chosen has only strengthened my gratitude for the opportunities I鈥檝e had at 网爆门. Learning from and designing alongside such inspiring professors and classmates has been truly formative. This recognition makes me even more excited to step into a broader professional network and carry those experiences with me as I begin my career.鈥�

After graduation, Puerta-Carlson hopes to secure a full-time position at an architecture firm鈥攊deally in New York City鈥攚here she can begin completing her Architectural Experience Program (AXP) hours toward licensure. After several years of professional experience, she plans to return to academia to pursue a master鈥檚 degree in landscape architecture or urbanism.

As part of the Future100 honor, Knauf and 笔耻别谤迟补-颁补谤濒蝉辞苍鈥檚 work has been shared with a global network of architecture and design leaders, offering meaningful exposure to top firms and influential professionals across the industry. Their profiles also appear in a dedicated online feature at and in the magazine鈥檚 January/February/March issue.

The full Future100 class of 2026 digital showcase is .

The (OPC) has selected Gustavo Nascimento, assistant director of enrollment and engagement in the , as the recipient of its administrative fellowship program.

Nascimento will conduct a project to advance two of OPC鈥檚 strategic areas of impact: community-building and professional development.

Last semester, OPC invited staff members to apply for the fellowship as part of its commitment to promote a campus that is welcoming to all while providing professional development and leadership opportunities for mid-level staff.

鈥淭his fellowship provides a unique opportunity for staff members to advance a project that may fall outside of their primary role, while strategically advancing the University鈥檚 broader efforts to create a welcoming environment,鈥� says Vice President for People and Culture Mary Grace Almandrez.

Nascimento is developing a project that will explore how intergenerational differences influence communication, leadership and collaboration.

鈥淭he goal of this project is to strengthen intergenerational collaboration across the institution by equipping staff with practical tools to navigate differences and improve team dynamics, and create a more supportive and connected workplace environment,鈥� says Nascimento.

Titled 鈥淟eading Across Generations,鈥� the project aligns with Nascimento鈥檚 lifelong commitment and professional passion to foster inclusive environments where staff, administrators and students feel valued and understood.

The topic is especially timely as today鈥檚 workforce in higher education spans across multiple generations, each with its own communication styles, expectations and perspectives.

鈥淚t is critical to foster effective collaboration, employee engagement and supportive cultures as institutions adapt to changing dynamics and an evolving student population,鈥� says Nascimento.

In addition to his primary role, Nascimento also serves as chair of the Culture and Strategic Initiatives Council in the School of Architecture.

鈥擲tory by Rachel Scalisi

Twelve graduating seniors have earned the title of 2026 网爆门 Scholar鈥攖he highest undergraduate honor the University awards鈥攔ecognized for their academic excellence, independent research and creative work, and contributions to their fields. The scholars were selected by a Universitywide faculty committee.

“It is a great privilege to recognize our University Scholars and all they have accomplished鈥攆rom academics to research to service鈥攐ver the course of their undergraduate years,鈥� says Vice Chancellor, Provost and Chief Academic Officer Lois Agnew. 鈥淭hese graduating seniors have truly distinguished themselves, and I have no doubt that the contributions they make beyond Syracuse will be as remarkable as the ones they have made here.鈥�

The 2026 网爆门 Scholars are the following:

• Daniel Baris, a sport analytics major in the David B. Falk College of Sport, a statistics major in the College of Arts and Sciences and a member of the Ren茅e Crown University Honors Program;
• Juinkye Chiang, a student in the School of Architecture and a member of the Ren茅e Crown University Honors Program;
• Rylie DiMaio, a health and exercise major in the Falk College and a member of the Ren茅e Crown University Honors Program;
• Julia Fancher, a physics major and an applied mathematics major in the College of Arts and Sciences (A&S) and a member of the Ren茅e Crown University Honors Program;
• Edward Lu, a music composition major in the College of Visual and Performing Arts and a music history and cultures major in A&S;
• Gustavo Madero Carriles, a political science major in the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs and A&S and a public relations major in the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications;
• Sadie Meyer, a biomedical engineering major in the College of Engineering and Computer Science (ECS) and mathematics major in A&S;
• Jorge Morales, a history major and anthropology major in the Maxwell School and A&S and a member of the Ren茅e Crown University Honors Program;
• Maya Philips, a biology major and communication sciences and disorders major in A&S and a member of the Ren茅e Crown University Honors Program;
• Nathan Torabi, a political science, citizenship and civic engagement and law, society and policy major in the Maxwell School and A&S and a member of the Ren茅e Crown University Honors Program;
• Gianna Voce, a computer science major in ECS and a neuroscience major in A&S; and
• Qiong Wu, a general accounting, finance and business analytics major in the Martin J. Whitman School of Management; an economics major in the Maxwell School and A&S; a mathematics major in A&S and a member of the Ren茅e Crown University Honors Program.

The scholars will be recognized at the University鈥檚 Commencement ceremony on May 10 in the JMA Wireless Dome. The student Commencement speaker will be chosen from among their ranks.

alumnus Thom Powell G’90 has been elevated to the College of Fellows of the American Institute of Architects (AIA).聽 He has received this prestigious honor in recognition of his notable contributions to the advancement of the profession of architecture.

Powell is among 78 member-architects and 11 honorary international members聽 recently elevated. will be honored at the AIA College of Fellows Investiture on June 11 in San Diego.

Election to the AIA鈥檚 College of Fellows is one of the highest individual honors the institute bestows on members. Out of a total AIA membership of more than 100,000, only 3% carry this distinction.

The elevation to fellowship is conferred on architects with at least 10 years of AIA architect membership and demonstrated influence in at least one of the following areas: promoted the aesthetic, scientific and practical efficiency of the profession; advanced the science and art of planning and building by advancing the standards of practice; coordinated the building industry and the profession of architecture; ensured the advancement of the living standards of people through their improved environment; made the profession of ever-increasing service to society; advanced the science and art of planning and building by advancing the standards of architectural education and training. Fellows were selected by a nine-member Jury of Fellows.

A Leader in Sustainable Design

Powell is a partner at , a Texas鈥慴ased design firm serving municipal and institutional clients statewide. A recognized leader in sustainable design, Powell integrates technical expertise with innovation to advance environmentally responsible practice across Texas.

Powell鈥檚 commitment to durability and environmental stewardship was shaped early in his career during 网爆门鈥檚 study abroad program, where he interned with an architectural office in Florence, Italy, contributing to the restoration of 500鈥憏ear鈥憃ld structures near the Pitti Palace. The experience established principles of longevity, craft and responsible design that continue to inform his work.

Throughout his career, Powell has collaborated on high-profile and landmark projects. His work includes the transformation of Arnold Schwarzenneger鈥檚 first gym into a private residence and the offices of the then-Los Angeles Raiders鈥� team physicians in Beverly Hills. In the Dallas Arts District, he partnered with Allied Works on the Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts, Foster + Partners on Artist Square and the AT&T Performing Arts Center Information Center and Morphosis on the Perot Museum of Nature and Science.

After completing his M.Arch II in 1990, Powell founded Gang of Four Design in Los Angeles. He later relocated to Dallas, leading the development of Santa Monica Place along the Santa Fe Trail and designing his residence in the historic Hollywood Heights neighborhood. In 2004, Powell joined GFF Architects as the firm鈥檚 first director of sustainable design, establishing its environmental leadership platform. In 2020, he co鈥慺ounded BVG4 Architecture as design partner, continuing his commitment to advancing institutional and municipal design through innovation, collaboration and sustainable excellence.

Powell has played a significant leadership role with the AIA and the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). He served on the AIA Dallas Board of Directors from 2009-21, contributing to major initiatives including the founding of the Dallas Center for architecture in 2015. Earlier, as chair of the AIA Dallas Committee on the Environment (2008), he launched a sustainability resource website that reached nearly 2,000 visitors across 84 countries and earned him recognition as AIA Dallas Young Architect of the Year. He also chaired the North Texas Sustainable Showcase (2008鈥�12), expanding regional awareness of high-performance design.

Powell served on the USGBC North Texas (2009-15) and the USGBC Texas Chapter (2016-23). As chair of USGBC North Texas in 2014, he led the merger of four regional chapters into a unified USGBC Texas Chapter. He later served as statewide vice chair (2018-19) and chair (2020-21), guiding strategic growth and advancing sustainable design initiatives across Texas.

In 2024, Powell was named a LEED Fellow by Green Business Certification Inc. (GBCI)鈥攖he program鈥檚 highest distinction鈥攁n honor awarded to only 437 professionals globally since 2011. The recognition reflects his sustained leadership, expertise and impact in advancing green building practices.

Purpose Shaped by Pan Am 103 Tragedy

For Powell, election to the AIA College of Fellows carries deep personal meaning. He has long felt, as he describes it, 鈥渁 deep responsibility to make a meaningful contribution to the profession鈥濃�攁 sense of purpose shaped profoundly by a formative moment early in his life. After studying in Italy, he flew home on Pan Am Flight 103 just one day after the tragedy over Lockerbie on Dec. 21, 1988, having delayed his return to celebrate a friend鈥檚 birthday. The narrowness of that circumstance stayed with him, particularly as he realized he was the same age as his grandfather鈥攈is namesake鈥攚hen he died in a tractor accident. Those experiences impressed upon him how fragile and precious time can be. Reaching this milestone, Powell reflects, is a way to honor those who influenced his path and are no longer here.

The Lunar New Year鈥攁lso known as Chinese New Year or the Spring Festival鈥攎arks one of the world’s most widely celebrated holidays, observed by as many as 2 billion people across Asian cultures. On Feb. 17, the Year of the Snake officially gives way to the Year of the Horse, a symbol of energy, enthusiasm and independence in the Chinese Zodiac.

Throughout the remainder of February, opportunities will be offered to celebrate this cultural milestone, giving the University community a chance to experience traditions that have been passed down for generations鈥攆rom sharing meals and creating crafts to enjoying performances and exchanging red envelopes filled with blessings for the year ahead. Here is what鈥檚 planned in the weeks ahead.

Friday, Feb. 13: School of Architecture Lunar New Year Celebration

A will be held in Slocum Hall from 5 to 6:30 p.m., organized by international students in the School of Architecture and Dean Michael Speaks. The Slocum Hall atrium will be transformed into a festival-like atmosphere where students can take a break and engage in such activities as knot tying, calligraphy, fortune scratch-offs and a photo booth.

Food, chocolate coins and traditional candies, and tea with Dean Speaks will be served. A series of short presentations about East Asian culture and architecture, featuring School of Architecture faculty, is also planned to begin at 5:30 p.m.

Monday, Feb. 16: Asian American Journalists Association Celebration

The Asian American Journalists Association will hold its in 303 Newhouse 1 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. The evening will include fun activities, delicious food and more! All are welcome to attend.

Tuesday, Feb. 17: Lunar New Year Craft Night

The Center for International Services will host its from 5 to 7 p.m. at 310 Walnut Place. Participants can join in crafts, build community and then head to one of three dining centers for a themed dinner celebrating the Chinese New Year.

Tuesday, Feb. 17: Dining Center Dumplings

During dinner service on Feb. 17, at Sadler, Shaw and Ernie Davis Dining Centers, including vegetable, beef and vegetable, edamame, pork shumai, chicken lemongrass and chicken teriyaki flavors.

Saturday, Feb. 21: Chinese United Student and Scholar Association Spring Festival Celebration

The Chinese United Student and Scholar Association will host its from 5:30 to 9 p.m. in Goldstein Auditorium. This event is both a talent showcase and a cultural celebration, providing a platform for students to share their cultures and talents with others.

Wednesday, Feb. 25: alpha Kappa Delta Phi Red Envelope and Zodiac Craft Workshop

alpha Kappa Delta Phi will host a from 7 to 8 p.m. in Lyman Hall. Participants can learn about Lunar New Year traditions while decorating red envelopes and creating zodiac-themed crafts. The event celebrates cultural appreciation through hands-on activities and provides a welcoming space to learn, connect and express creativity. Open to all!

Every four years, millions of people around the world find themselves glued to their televisions, watching athletes slide massive stones across sheets of ice while teammates frantically sweep in front of them at the Olympics.

What makes curling so appealing?

Members of the explain what entices people into the sport that is part ice, part strategy and part finesse.

鈥淭here鈥檚 just something special about curling. The novelty and the silliness of the sport draw you in. Every four years we just have to watch curling at the Olympics,鈥� says Adam Wingert 鈥�27, a member of the 网爆门 club curling team and fourth-year architecture student in the .

鈥淕rowing up, I would watch curling at the Olympics with my parents and I often thought, 鈥榊eah, I could do that,鈥欌�� says teammate Alex Reid 鈥�26, who is studying computer science in the .

Before this year鈥檚 Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina, Italy, Wingert and Reid share what viewers can expect and invite community members to try their own hand at some of the team鈥檚 open lessons.

The Basics of Curling

Traditional curling features four-person teams taking their turn sending a massive stone down a thin sheet of ice while teammates frantically clean and sweep as the stone slides towards its target, known as a house.

Sweepers utilize a broom to melt the top surface of the ice as the stone is hurtling toward its target. But don鈥檛 let the name fool you: there are no bristles on these brooms, just a thin fabric covering over a foam pad.

Sweepers use their brooms to control the stone’s speed and trajectory by reducing friction with the ice鈥攎aking it slide farther, curl less or curl more depending on strategy.

Stones can be used to either knock an opponent鈥檚 stone out of the house, or to position it strategically in the house to amass points. Teams score points for each stone closer to the center of the house than their opponent’s best stone.

Debunking Misconceptions

Despite competing on ice, the athletes don鈥檛 wear skates when they throw the stone. Instead, Orange student-athletes either wear sliders or specialized nonstick shoes made from Teflon that provide grip and traction.

Once the stone has been released, Reid says another misconception鈥攖hat the stone will automatically go where you intend it to鈥攊s also quickly debunked.

鈥淧laying conditions on the ice change over time,鈥� Reid says. 鈥淏y the nature of the sport, the same exact shot is not going to wind up in the same position as the competition advances. Curling gets down to the minutiae, and every moment has to be perfect.鈥�

What to Know About Syracuse Curling

The Syracuse Curling Club has nine co-ed student-athletes, practices at the Utica Curling Club and competes in tournaments (called bonspiels) as part of both the regional Grand National Curling Club College League and USA Curling. At each competition, teams earn points based on their performance that determine which schools advance into the National Championship.

Syracuse recently placed second at the Yale Curling Club鈥檚 SuperSpiel tournament in Bridgeport, Connecticut, and is preparing for the Northeast Regionals tournament this weekend in Utica, New York. If Syracuse places in the top two teams at regionals, it will automatically qualify for the 2026 National Championship, March 12-15, in Schenectady, New York.

鈥淲e鈥檙e able to come out and represent Syracuse and be part of the club鈥檚 proud history,” Reid says. “To be able to say I made my mark is a really special feeling.”

After each tournament, a Spirit of Curling award is presented to the team that best embodies sportsmanship and professionalism while helping to grow the sport. Teams will then stack their brooms on the table and celebrate the end of a hard-fought game by getting to know a little bit more about their opponents.

鈥淭hat speaks to the broader culture of curling,” Wingert says. “Curling is a competitive sport, and we want to win, but being part of this tight-knit community comes first. Curling is about doing better every single time and being the best person you can be.鈥�

鈥業鈥檓 Part of Something Bigger Than Myself鈥�

Determined to spread their love of curling across campus, the club team runs free learn to curl classes at the Tennity Ice Skating Pavilion on South Campus. At these sessions, which normally occur in September and October, all the necessary equipment is provided, free of charge.

That鈥檚 how Reid became involved and now he鈥檚 a key contributor to the team that has its sights set on representing the University at the upcoming national tournament.

鈥淥nce I tried the sport, what made me stick around was this understanding that I was part of something that was bigger than myself,鈥� Reid says.

Wingert, who fell in love with the sport when he was a child growing up in Southern Ontario, Canada, says nearly every member of the club team had zero curling experience before coming to campus.

鈥淭he learn to curl sessions are great because it helps us recruit for the club while spreading our love of curling on campus,鈥� Wingert says.

For more information or to fill out an interest form, visit the .

Each semester, upper-level architecture students participate in the visiting critic program that brings leading architects and scholars from around the world to the school. Three studios will be held on campus this spring.

Tiffany Xu (Boghosian Fellow 2025-26)

will teach the visiting critic studio, 鈥�16INOC: Experiments in Light Timber,鈥� which will explore the potential of light timber through the lens of medium specificity.

16鈥� O.C. (16 inches on center) denotes a fundamental unit in light timber framing, a construction system that accounts for 90% of all residential construction in the United States. This system is deeply entwined with histories of ecological management, skilled labor and developments in modern manufacturing. That light timber has persisted as a viable medium of construction from the late Industrial Revolution to the present, with relatively little modification, speaks to its capacity to traverse technological and aesthetic paradigms. Over time, however, it has accumulated conventions and ingrained habits that have drifted from its original experimental and informal foundations.

The studio positions conventions of timber framing鈥攕uch as typical spacing, methods of layering and the treatment of framing as a hidden cavity鈥攁s codes to be critically examined, tested and reimagined. Design prompts will be derived from literary short stories, with an emphasis on tectonics, material ecology and the translation of narrative into spatial and material languages. Sites of intervention will engage existing structures rather than start from the ground up, and students will study precedents ranging from the renowned to the anonymous.

Xu will give a on Thursday, Feb. 5, at 5:30 p.m. in the atrium of Slocum Hall.

Gary Bates (Make Make)

will teach the visiting critic studio, 鈥淗arlem Lane(s): Architecture as Civic Infrastructure,鈥� which reimagines Harlem’s historic Black churches as catalysts for equitable urban transformation. Rather than treating these buildings as static landmarks, the studio positions them as interconnected civic infrastructures鈥攕ites where housing, culture, environmental systems and聽 community governance can be reconfigured to resist displacement and support collective wealth building.

Using 鈥渟ynaptic urbanism,鈥� students will study multiple church sites as a network of nodes forming a larger civic system across Harlem. Working in research teams, focused on Culture and Memory, Environment and Infrastructure, Energy and Mobility, and Geopolitics and Governance, students will produce forensic mappings that reveal how systemic inequities shape urban space.

The studio draws on Fernand Braudel’s temporal frameworks and Ralph Ellison鈥檚 notion of 鈥渦ltrasonic semitones鈥� to explore subtle cultural and spatial forces. Design proposals will develop “counter-gravitational” architectures that challenge economic models through cooperative ownership, community land trusts and closed-loop environmental systems.

Emphasizing 鈥渢erritorial intelligence,鈥� the studio treats each site as a living system where water, soil, plants, non-human habitats and human communities interact across scales. By centering Harlem鈥檚 churches as sites of spatial, political and economic agency, the studio frames architectural practice as a tool for civic repair and reparative justice.

Bates will give a on Thursday, March 19, at 5:30 p.m. in the atrium of Slocum Hall.

Herwig Baumgartner (Baumgartner Architects)

will teach the visiting critic studio, 鈥淓mbedded Volumes,鈥� which investigates the relationship between containers and volumes through the design of a youth-focused Performing Arts Center in an urban context. The studio explores how architecture can support openness, accessibility and transparency while fostering informal indoor and outdoor performance spaces that actively engage the surrounding urban fabric.

Central to the brief is an examination of youth arts programming inspired by Venezuela鈥檚 publicly funded music education movement, “El Sistema,” founded in the mid-1970s by educator, musician and activist Jos茅 Antonio Abreu. Grounded in the belief that music can be a catalyst for social change, the model has since been adopted globally to provide free music education for young people.

The studio begins with precedent research followed by a focused design warm-up that explores strategies of embedded volumes. Through this exercise, students develop formal and spatial approaches for front-of-house, performance and back-of-house programs before advancing to the comprehensive design of the Performing Arts Center. Throughout the studio, voids are conceived as spaces for circulation and gathering, volumes evolve into performance halls, and courtyards transform into rehearsal spaces integrated within a single architectural container. Students will design within an existing urban condition while engaging the interconnected forces of cultural diversity, context, iconicity, structure, circulation and performance, all of which shape the building鈥檚 role and identity within the city.

Baumgartner will give a on Thursday, Feb. 12, at 5:30 p.m. in the atrium of Slocum Hall.

Six faculty members have been elected to serve on the聽.

Committee members advise the vice chancellor, provost and chief academic officer and work to ensure consistent promotion and tenure processes and promote high academic standards. They serve two-year, staggered terms and are not eligible to serve consecutive terms.

Newly elected committee members are:

• , Katchmar-Wilhelm Professor, School of Information Studies
• , professor, School of Architecture
• , professor, College of Law
• , professor and director of biochemistry, College of Arts and Sciences
• , professor of higher education, School of Education
• , professor and chair of geography and the environment, Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs

Promotion and tenure cases that meet the criteria for review鈥攆or example, those that have substantial disagreement between layers of recommendation or a strong probability of a negative determination鈥攁re taken up by committee members. They offer an advisory vote to the provost but do not issue a formal report or consider appeals.

The committee is convened by Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs Jamie Winders. Provost Lois Agnew is chair of the committee, and Vice President for Research Duncan Brown serves in an ex-officio capacity.

The 网爆门 community, and the global architecture community as a whole, has lost a dynamic architect, mentor and a connector of people. Fei Wang, associate teaching professor in the , passed away in a traffic accident in London on Dec. 8, leaving behind a legacy of connection, collaboration and tireless dedication that transformed countless lives across continents.

鈥淔ei Wang鈥檚 legacy endures in the students he mentored, the collaborations he facilitated, the exhibitions he curated and the bridges he built between East and West,鈥� says Michael Speaks, Syracuse Architecture dean and professor. 鈥淗is life reminds us that architecture’s highest calling lies not in buildings alone but in the connections we forge and the opportunities we create for others.鈥�

Wang embodied a combination of roles: architect, educator, critic, curator, entrepreneur and, above all, a connector of people and ideas. As director of China programs and M.S. program coordinator in the School of Architecture, Wang managed numerous responsibilities.

During the pandemic, he organized studios and classroom spaces for 150 of the school鈥檚 students who could not leave China, ensuring they could continue their education remotely. This effort earned him the University’s prestigious Chancellor’s Citation for Outstanding Contributions to the Student Experience and University Initiatives in 2022.

Wang was a dedicated advocate for students, personally guiding hundreds through internship applications, graduate school preparations and the transition into professional practice. He connected students with opportunities across China and introduced his colleagues to an extensive network of architects, deans, professors, curators and editors throughout Asia, many of whom became lifelong friends and collaborators.

He worked closely with Vittoria Buccina, assistant dean for enrollment management in the School of Architecture, to recruit students from China, Hong Kong and Canada.

鈥淔ei represented 网爆门 and the School of Architecture with unwavering pride. He always put students first and was a mentor to many, ensuring their work was entered into major design competitions, biennales and curated for museum exhibitions,鈥� Buccina says. 鈥淗e often shared his belief that the future of architecture in China would be shaped by Syracuse alumni, and he spoke passionately about the school鈥檚 commitment to its students. 鈥楩ei鈥� means 鈥榯o fly,鈥� and that is exactly what he taught his students to do: to become the very best versions of themselves.鈥�

鈥淭o know Fei, even a little bit, was to be immersed into a global matrix of design culture. He was on the pulse鈥攐ne of its muscles,鈥� says Ted Brown, professor emeritus of architecture. 鈥淔ei was Superman鈥攁lways moving, always planning, teaching, writing, curating, recruiting, designing.鈥�

Brown says that at a time of increased global tension, Wang was a crucial link between Chinese and U.S. design culture.

鈥淪yracuse Architecture was a critical conduit for this cultural exchange. Student work was exhibited in Shenzhen, Beijing and Shanghai. Prominent Chinese architects were brought to the U.S. to teach, give workshops, lecture and join design reviews. Students traveled to China and had the opportunity to study in the Three Cities Asia summer program,鈥� says Brown. 鈥淲hat Fei did to help transform the school, with Michael Speaks at the helm and Vittoria Buccina at his side, was quite extraordinary.鈥�

Brown says that Wang鈥檚 efforts made the School of Architecture more global in its outreach, extracurricular events and curriculum. 鈥淚 hope Fei鈥檚 vast network of friends, colleagues, students, artists and architects will remain part of Syracuse architecture for decades to come,鈥� he says.

Wang鈥檚 scholarly work demonstrated the same commitment to fostering dialogue between cultures. He wrote extensively for Chinese publications as well as Western journals. Wang was the curator of “Decoding Eisenman: Beyond Form,” a landmark exhibition that opened this fall at the China Design Museum in Hangzhou.

As a designer and entrepreneur, Wang co-founded FWStudio and the URSIDE Hotel Shanghai鈥攁n unconventional hospitality project that embodied his interdisciplinary approach. His work earned numerous awards and was exhibited globally.

Throughout his career, Wang taught at prestigious institutions, including the University of Hong Kong, Tongji University, China Academy of Art, University of Michigan and the Architectural Association and lectured worldwide. Wang held degrees from Tongji University (B.Arch.), Virginia Tech (M.Arch.) and McGill University (M.Arch. in history and theory).

A memorial service in Syracuse has been tentatively planned for January. More details will be forthcoming.

“Decoding Eisenman: Beyond Form” opened this fall at the China Design Museum, marking a major international exhibition dedicated to the work of pioneering architect, theorist, and educator Peter Eisenman, one of the world鈥檚 most enduring and influential figures in contemporary architecture.

The exhibition is the result of a cross-border collaboration among the China Design Museum at the , the (CCA) and 网爆门鈥檚 School of Architecture, offering a multidimensional exploration of Eisenman鈥檚 intellectual legacy.

Curated by , associate teaching professor in the School of Architecture, “Decoding Eisenman” brings together nearly 150 works鈥攊ncluding sketches, research models, personal correspondence, publications and video interviews from the Peter Eisenman Archive at the CCA鈥攖o construct a 鈥渓iving archive of architectural thought.鈥� Through these works, Wang invites audiences to trace Eisenman鈥檚 evolving ideas on form, theory and architectural meaning across more than five decades of practice.

Organized into three layered sections, the exhibition traces the arc of Eisenman鈥檚 revolutionary career鈥攆rom the conceptual syntax of his early 鈥渃ardboard architecture,鈥� through radical experiments in deconstruction and reassembly, to interdisciplinary and digital research, and finally to his later engagements with cultural memory and local context. Throughout, Eisenman鈥檚 work is presented not as a linear progression but as a series of epistemic leaps that continually challenge and redefine architecture itself.

鈥淧eter Eisenman stands as one of architecture’s most pivotal and distinctive figures鈥攁 theorist, educator and practitioner of profound global impact,鈥� says Fei Wang. 鈥淎fter years of development, it has been a great privilege to curate this exhibition.鈥�

“Decoding Eisenman” not only celebrates Eisenman鈥檚 transformative impact on architecture but also reinforces 网爆门鈥檚 role as a leader in architectural education and cross-cultural collaboration. Alongside Fei Wang鈥檚 role as chief curator, , visiting critic at Syracuse Architecture, led the graphic identity and exhibition design, while Dean Michael Speaks delivered a keynote address during the opening symposium.

鈥淭his project represented a rare and intellectually rewarding experience for me,鈥� says Nan Wang. 鈥淚 had the opportunity to engage critically with the theory of Peter Eisenman through the exhibition鈥檚 graphic design and wall visual arrangement and found boundless inspiration during the exhibition design process.鈥�

A talented team of Syracuse faculty, students and alumni also played vital roles in exhibition production鈥攆rom filming and editing to documentation and media coordination. Special thanks go to Professor Jean-Fran莽ois B茅dard, Zeyu Yao 鈥�25, Tony Dai 鈥�25, Jiaqi Wang 鈥�26, Zizhuo Mao 鈥�25, Enming Cao 鈥�27, Shuoxuan Li 鈥�27, Stephanie Feng 鈥�27, Tianhai Zhang 鈥�26, Yulin Chen 鈥�28, Shihan Zhang 鈥�28, Yichong Ma 鈥�27, Runkai Huang 鈥�29 and Qiyuan Gong 鈥�27.

鈥淚 want to congratulate Professor Fei Wang on this historical achievement,鈥� says Speaks. 鈥淭his is the only major exhibition of Peter Eisenman鈥檚 work in China, and it will have a significant impact on Asia鈥檚 future architects and scholars.鈥�

“Decoding Eisenman: Beyond Form” is on view at the China Design Museum in Hangzhou, China, through December. For more information about the exhibition and related programming, visit the .

In the School of Architecture, learning extends beyond the classroom. As part of a research project led by Assistant Professor , architecture students gained hands鈥憃n experience by outfitting the interior of a new market shed building for a local nonprofit urban farm鈥攖ransforming a design exercise into a lasting community resource.

Established in 2016, is uniquely located on Syracuse’s south side and serves as the only source of fresh produce in what is otherwise a food desert, home to a historically marginalized community of low鈥憌age earners. The new market shed directly supports the farm鈥檚 growth and the expansion of its community service programming.

Under the mentorship of Newsom and Assistant Professor David Shanks, architecture students鈥攕upported by grant funding from the 鈥攈elped to develop design drawings and models for the new structure. Comprised of two interlocking spaces, the market shed reflects Brady Farm鈥檚 ethos of versatility and inclusivity while advancing its mission to serve both agricultural and community needs. One half of the building supports essential farm operations such as washing, packaging and storing vegetables grown across the farm鈥檚 6.5 acres; the other half serves as a community gathering space, hosting an indoor market, educational workshops, adult workforce training and outdoor picnic areas.

鈥淥ur new barn has helped us scale up our farm operations and is a place to welcome community members to purchase vegetables year鈥憆ound, or join us for workshops or wellness events,鈥� says Jessi Lyons, Brady Farms coordinator.

The market shed鈥檚 design balances function with thoughtful construction methods. While its overall form may appear complex, the underlying structure relies on a symmetrical structural reversal, which separates the food processing and community spaces while uniting them under one roof. With continuous insulation of the building鈥檚 envelope, the interior remains noticeably cooler than outdoor temperatures鈥攅ven without mechanical cooling. In the community room, solar-powered vented skylights provide natural light while minimizing heat gain.

The project鈥檚 success is due in large part to a broader community effort. More than a dozen local companies contributed over $250,000 in cash, materials and labor鈥攃overing nearly two-thirds of the total cost鈥攎aking the market shed a reality and affirming Brady Farm鈥檚 vital role in supporting neighborhood health and well-being.

鈥淭he Hayner Hoyt Corporation feels that it is important to support and give back to the community where our team members live and work,鈥� says Jeremy Thurston, the company鈥檚 president. 鈥淲e were proud to partner with 网爆门 and other local organizations in support of Brady Farm鈥檚 expansion that supports the community.鈥�

鈥淎s a small nonprofit with a big mission, our resources are limited. Hannibal Newsom and the School of Architecture helped us define our needs, create beautiful designs for the building and secure essential donations鈥攂ringing this dream to life,鈥� says Lyons. 鈥淲e鈥檙e incredibly grateful for their support in helping our farm thrive so we can bring more food to our community.鈥�

Students from Newsom鈥檚 also played a pivotal role in the project鈥檚 development. Drawing on their research of agricultural typologies and interdisciplinary insights from architecture, public health and urban studies, they designed, fabricated and installed versatile furniture into the new market shed community space, helping to create a dynamic hub for commerce, education and community engagement.

鈥淏rady Farm, and by extension the new market shed, are a prototype for what urban farm philanthropy can be,鈥� says Newsom. 鈥淭his was more than a construction project鈥攊t鈥檚 a living example of how architecture schools and their students can work alongside local organizations to address real needs, strengthen food systems and create spaces that bring people together.鈥�

Thanks to a collective effort guided by student design, professional expertise and community generosity, Brady Farm is poised to expand its impact as a source of healthy food, education, and community connection.

Generous Supporters

Several community donors made generous contributions to the project, including Hayner Hoyt Corp., Allied Electric Co., Burns Bros. Contractors,聽Commercial and Residential Painting Inc., Edward Schalk and Son Inc., Gitzen Companies Inc.,聽Heidelberg Materials Northeast-NY LLC, Hertel Steel Inc., JK Tobin Construction Co., Little Falls Lumber, Mago Architecture, Paragon Masonry, Thermal Foams/Syracuse Inc. and Upstate Spray Foam and HVAC.

Priscilla Leung 鈥�26 and Audrey Delia 鈥�26 in the School of Architecture were recently announced as winners in the .

Administered by the American Institute of Architects, Committee on the Environment (AIA COTE), in partnership with the Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture (ACSA), the annual COTE Competition challenged students to design projects that use a creative and innovative, thoroughly integrated approach to architecture, natural systems and technology to provide design solutions that protect and enhance the environment.

Each year, the competition recognizes exceptional student design studio projects that integrate health, sustainability and equity, evaluated following the same categories of the AIA COTE Top Ten Award for built work, and the ten principles of the AIA .

Starting this year, students were offered the opportunity to compete in two separate categories: Category I for students enrolled in first- and second-year design courses, and Category II for upper-level students.

The jurors selected 10 winning projects, along with an additional honorable mention, that meaningfully address the impacts of climate change. The winning projects emphasize achieving net-zero emissions, adapting to resilient climate impacts and addressing social and environmental inequities.

Designing for a Sustainable Future

Leung and Delia were recognized in Category II for their project, , which focused on creating a functioning building that integrated structure, systems and the human perspective, with input from various structural and envelope engineers.

As part of their fourth-year comprehensive studio, Leung and Delia worked under the direction of their faculty sponsor Brian Lonsway, associate professor, to design a radically ecological structure that generated energy through solar, wind and water collection systems and embodied true Design for Disassembly (DFD) principles, with components made to be modular, multi-us, and resource-efficient.

Leung and Delia were intrigued by the notion of a building creating and harvesting its own energy, while actively balancing its consumption.

“Priscilla and Audrey approached their design with an incredible enthusiasm for the demonstrative and teaching aspects of the building program, as well as for the nuances of a human-centered design process,鈥� says Lonsway. 鈥淚ntended as a flagship institute for disassembly-focused research and outreach, the brief was straightforward but also provocative, and their proposal met all of its provocations and more.鈥�

Serving Community Needs

鈥淒FDi is an impactful design with a high level of detail, vivid graphics and a thoughtfully designed fa莽ade showcasing the rigorous research and technical mastery,鈥� noted the jurors. 鈥淭he modular ‘kit of parts’ concept is innovative and scalable, allowing the building to serve the specific community needs while remaining adaptable for future applications. The clarity of the architectural diagrams effectively communicates how sustainable investigation directly informs the building鈥檚 form and user experience.鈥�

Leung and Delia say engagement with COTE鈥檚 sustainability criteria gave them a unique opportunity to test how their initial concept could meet these standards, and it challenged them to think more deeply about design, performance and community.

Winning students and their faculty sponsors will each receive a cash prize along with the opportunity to have their projects exhibited and recognized during the 2026 AIA National Convention at the COTE reception.

Two student teams from the聽聽were recently announced as prize winners in the聽.

Administered by the Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture (ACSA) and sponsored by the American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC), the 25th annual Steel Design Student Competition challenged undergraduate and graduate students to explore a variety of design issues related to the use of steel in design and construction.

This year鈥檚 competition offered architecture students the opportunity to compete in two separate categories. In Category I, students were challenged to design a library and illustrate its role as an integral part of a community鈥檚 civic fabric. Category II presented students with the option to select a site and building program of their choosing, using steel as the primary material.

The 13 winning projects were selected for their innovative designs using structural steel and their design responses to local contexts. For each category, the jurors chose first, second and third-place winners, along with additional honorable mentions.

Zilin Jing 鈥�26 and Jingxiang Zhang 鈥�26 won third place in the open category for their project,聽, which reimagines the makerspace as a critical infrastructural node within Syracuse鈥檚 circular material economy, bridging demolition, recycling and local production.

As part of the fourth-year undergraduate integrated design studio, Jing and Zhang worked under the direction of their faculty sponsor Lauren Scott, a part-time instructor in the School of Architecture, to design a dynamic processing hub that intercepts urban waste streams鈥攆rom large-scale infrastructure teardowns, like I-81, to household discards.

By leveraging I-81鈥檚 demolition as a catalyst, the project creates a hybrid civic institution鈥攑art workshop, part recycling center, part marketplace鈥攖hat transforms waste into value, educates on material flows and bolsters Syracuse鈥檚 resilience. It embodies transitional infrastructure, turning urban evolution into an opportunity for ecological and economic regeneration. The project presents a case study in adaptive reuse, leveraging infrastructure as a catalyst for material circularity.

鈥淐loud-81: Syracuse Urban Incubator offers a thoughtful and innovative vision of circularity, grounded in thorough research on Syracuse and the community鈥檚 needs,鈥� noted the jurors. 鈥淭he design excels in reimagining the makerspace as critical infrastructure, linking urban recycling with community engagement in a way that is socially meaningful and architecturally sophisticated.鈥�

鈥淧articipating in both this competition and the integrated design studio challenged us to think more critically, creatively and realistically about architectural design,鈥� says Jing and Zhang. 鈥淭his award not only highlights our capabilities but also underscores the importance of the integrated studio鈥攁 synthesis of everything we鈥檝e learned throughout our time at Syracuse, and, for us, the most pivotal chapter of our architectural education.鈥�

Additionally, Syracuse Architecture alumni Zhirun Huang 鈥�25 and Weixia Luo 鈥�25 were awarded honorable mention in the open category for their project,聽, an Arab art center inspired by the traditional wind towers of Dubai.

Guided by faculty sponsor Fei Wang, associate teaching professor and director of China programs, ARC 409 students Huang and Luo researched Dubai鈥攖he most populous city in the United Arab Emirates鈥攚here they found that its many wind towers both exemplify Arabian architecture and serve as systems for passive cooling and ventilation.

By applying this passive ventilation strategy to the project, the team designed five steel modules that overlap to form the core of the building and serve as vertical circulation paths, guiding visitors to exhibition spaces for Arabic calligraphy, clothing, film, weaving and ceramics.

鈥淭his project represents a synthesis of social, political, economic, cultural, environmental and technological elements, achieved via the sophisticated application of steel structures and detailed design,鈥� says Wang.

鈥淒ubai Flow presents a seductive and formally driven design, anchored by an inventive steel web structure that informs both shape and performance,鈥� noted the jurors. 鈥淭he steel framework not only enables dramatic cantilevers and dynamic site movement but also powerfully translates cultural heritage into a contemporary architectural language.鈥�

鈥淭his competition challenged us to push the boundaries of our design thinking and deepen our understanding of steel as a material,鈥� says Huang and Luo. 鈥淩eceiving an honorable mention affirms the potential to explore how steel systems could create adaptive and sustainable spaces and motivates us to continue investigating how architecture can merge innovation with real-world impact. We are grateful for the recognition and excited to carry these lessons forward in our future work.鈥�

Winning students and their faculty advisors will each receive a cash prize along with the opportunity to have their projects exhibited at the 2026 ACSA Annual Meeting and the 2026 AIA National Convention, as well as published in a competition summary publication.