January 20, 2017 Akerman, French Receive National Design Award
Two professors of architecture in the College of Architecture and Design earned a national design award for their work leading students and collaborating with community members to develop an education center for 快活视频.
Jennifer Akerman and Bob French were named recipients of the Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture鈥檚 for the Beardsley Farm Education Center, a project of the college鈥檚 nationally ranked design/build program.
The Beardsley Farm Education Center was designed and largely built by students in Akerman and French鈥檚 studios. More than 50 students from across the college collaborated with peers, professionals and farm officials from conception to construction to create a public space that benefits the community. Throughout the design/build process, they contributed coursework and service, designing and building a center that advances Beardsley Community Farm鈥檚 mission of engaging the community through education, service and public outreach. The education center, , provides a classroom, office spaces and restrooms for local residents, volunteers and farm staff.
鈥淭ransformative experiences such as this prepare students to serve the community as innovative design professionals,鈥 Akerman said.
The Collaborative Practice Award honors the best practices in school-based community outreach programs that demonstrate how faculty, students and community clients work to realize common objectives. In 2013, T.K. Davis received the award for transit-oriented development, and in 2009, Ted Shelton was recognized for designing for Tennessee鈥檚 state parks.
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In fall 2016, the Education Center also received the 2016 Honor Award, People鈥檚 Choice Award and Member鈥檚 Choice Award from the American Institute of Architects East Tennessee. It also was cited when the college鈥檚 design/build program was named in the Top 7 in the country by Study Architecture, a program of ACSA.
The project was聽a collaboration of the College of Architecture and Design, the City of 快活视频, the Public Building Authority, Elizabeth Eason Architects and Merit Construction. It was supported by General Shale, AIAETN, Paulk and Co., Stonepeak Tile, Keene Building Products, Columbia Forest Products, Baird and Wilson and many others.
For more than 40 years, the UT College of Architecture and Design鈥檚 design/build program has offered experience-learning opportunities to prepare students for careers in design. Through exploration, collaboration and mission-driven innovation, it applies design excellence, environmental performance and social responsibility to many challenges in the built environment to positively impact society. Learn more about the .
[Photo credit: Bruce Cole]
