Bachelor of Architecture students Jingyi Emma Luo and Cera Yeo from the fall 2019 Buoyant Blueprint studio have been announced as winners of the AIA COTE Top Ten for Students Design Competition.
The American Institute of Architects Committee on the Environment (AIA COTE), in partnership with Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture (ACSA), selected the recipients of the national awards. The competition recognizes ten exceptional studio projects that demonstrate designs moving towards carbon-neutral operation through creative and innovative integration of design strategies such as daylighting, passive heating and cooling, materials, water, energy generation, and sustainable systems. The program challenged students to submit projects that use a thoroughly integrated approach to architecture, natural systems, and technology to provide architectural solutions that protect and enhance the environment.
Jurors included Elgin Cleckley (University of Virginia), Carly Coulson (COULSON), Michael Horan (Clemson University), Tom Kundig (Olson Kundig), and Adrian Parr (University of Texas at Arlington).
The Buoyant Blueprint advanced Integrated Building Design studio, led by CCA faculty Margaret Ikeda, and Evan Jones, is part of an ongoing research partnership between CCA, Autodesk's Technology Center San Francisco, Kreysler & Associates, and the Benthic Lab at Moss Landing Marine Laboratories. The research is focused on developing innovative material approaches to resilient waterfront structures.
The selected project, Waterline by Jingyi Emma Luo and Cera Yeo, proposes a strategy for architectural adaptation to climate change for low-lying islands. Sited in the Maldives, the project integrates a mangrove nursery and advanced water recycling systems into a phased plan for a self-sustaining floating community. From the jury citation: "Waterline is a powerful sustainable design solution with cultural foundation. The project details provide a level of excitement and thoughtfulness, which is stunning at first glance that never loses that level of interest throughout the details. The well-executed renderings and details present a realistic design that creates a fantastical sense of place and compelling construction technology.”