Developing the Next Generation of Architects

 

Third year students at The University of Kansas School of Architecture, Design, and Planning are currently in the early phases of a semester-long design challenge, the likes of which they’ve never seen before.

Arch Out Loud’s “NYC Aquarium & Public Waterfront” proposes “the implementation of a public aquarium and park to provide communal space for the surrounding city, a program that provides valuable waterfront space to residents and tourists alike. Arch Out Loud challenges designers to experiment with conventional interpretations of this program and investigate how it can create a more appropriate relationship to its context.”

PGAV Destinations Jayhawk alumni John Kemper and Lindsey Evans were recently invited by Dr. Paola Sanguinetti, Chair of the Architecture Department, to independently review the students’ work and offer insights and critique.

In a jury format, each student team presented their progress to Kemper and Evans, who evaluated their site planning, building layout and massing, animal selections, and exhibit ideas. The professionals introduced the students to the fundamentals of aquarium design by sharing their experiences working on some of the world’s most notable aquariums, such as the Georgia Aquarium, Chimelong Ocean Kingdom, Hong Kong’s Ocean Park, and more. They completed their visit with Q&A regarding careers in destination design. Professor Sanguinetti hopes to involve the alumni again near the end of the design process.

The PGAV Jayhawks have previously been featured in Kansas Alumni Magazine and are currently supporting the Jim Moorkamp PGAV Scholarship, sponsored by PGAV Destinations VP and KU alumna Diane Lochner via the PGAVGO program. Given to an individual whom exemplifies the PGAV leader’s passion, talents, problem solving skills, and strategic thinking, the scholarship was awarded this year to Culin Thompson. Thompson recently formed a student-led, non-profit organization called Spaces of Hope, which promotes architecture within high schools.

Architectural Designer Lindsey Evans recently caught up with Culin at this year’s Architecture Career Fair at KU.