AIA Nebraska recognizes the excellence of two professors and four students

The American Institute of Architects (AIA) Nebraska recognizes the excellence of two professors, four students and numerous alumni with design and education awards at the 2021 AIA Nebraska Excellence in Design Awards Gala. Associate Professor and Architecture Program Director David Karle, Associate AIA was honored at the ceremony as the 2021 AIA Nebraska Architectural/Design Education recipient.

According to AIA Nebraska, “David has made a significant contribution to architectural education and exemplified a highly successful teaching career focused on student success and excellence, as well as excellence in the scholarship of teaching and learning. David brings a willingness to contribute innovative thought and approach to all situations, and helps others grow.”

This is the second year AIA Nebraska has awarded the Architectural/Design Education award with Jeffery L. Day being its inaugural awardee in 2020.

“David is very deserving of this prestigious Architectural | Design Education Award. He has served the Architecture Program tirelessly in countless ways,” said College of Architecture Dean Katherine Ankerson. “David is always looking for ways to promote the program, push the boundaries of our curriculum and elevate the standing of our students on the world stage. It is heartening to see David’s efforts be recognized by his peers. I am honored and proud to work among such talented and driven professionals.”

For the design awards, in the Emerging Professionals category, M.Arch students Quinlan McFadden, AIAS and Jamie Schacher won a Built & Unbuilt Merit Award for their project “Neighbor-Type House,” an affordable housing prototype designed as part of FACT's Fall 2020 "NEw Attainable House" studio.

Another award from the Emerging Professionals category went to BSD in Architecture alums Allie McAndrews, AIAS and Austin Riggins. They were honored with a Built & Unbuilt Honorable Mention Award for their project “Un-Monument,” a design concept for a library of the 21st century.

Professor Jeffrey L. Day was given an Unbuilt Architecture Honorable Mention Award for “Basketball Training Center,” a sports training facility for under resourced communities.

“These awards speak to the caliber of our faculty and the excellence of student work being produced here every day,” said Ankerson. “And we are beyond proud to have so many of our students, faculty and alumni recognized at this level by their peers.”

The “Neighbor-Type House” award submission explores attainable housing by maximizing land use and approaching affordability through densification and the ownership model of a community land trust. For this concept, five homes of various sizes share a 100′ x 150′ double lot. Individual families may purchase the homes while the land remains with the trust as a shared resource. The proposal strikes a balance between the security of ownership and the shared values of the community, ultimately providing access to housing in an accelerating market.

The “Un-Monument” concept addresses the modern American landscape’s lack of neutral spaces of public discourse which are vital to a democratic society. Their 21st century library design is poised to fill this void. By rejecting monumentality, the emerging professionals contextualize the building with its surroundings, drawing upon nearby rural archetypes to strengthen the library’s design scope and encourage engagement.

Day’s “Basketball Training Center” envisions a new building for DVLP Basketball in the north downtown area of Omaha. It is conveniently located for young players and highly visible to the public. The nonprofit, DVLP Basketball, is known for working to develop young talent in Omaha and building culture, resource accessibility and leadership in the area sports community.

“We are excited to receive recognition for this important project, a work-in-progress that when built, will elevate driven athletes in the simple, natural environment of an all-wood building,” said Day.