Graduate architecture students honored at annual Celebration of Excellence
A jury of leading design professionals chose “Binational Connection,” the final project by Karla Padilla, as the top project of graduating Master of Architecture students at the Celebration of Excellence May 11, 2022.
This year’s celebration was the 10th anniversary of the inaugural Department of Architecture event, which honors the department’s outstanding students and faculty.
At the event, Padilla joined her fellow graduate architecture students, all of whom presented their final projects at Rudder Forum.
“It’s an opportunity to commemorate the excellent work developed by final study students in our Master of Architecture program,” said Gregory Luhan, head of the Department.
In her project, Padilla aimed to acknowledge the bi-national cultural and economic reality of border cities El Paso, Texas and Ciudad Juarez, Mexico by creating “everyday” spaces for citizens of both cities.
“I sought to physically and conceptually bridge these two cities,” said Padilla. “They are connected by history, nature and culture.”
Her project included a water collection and treatment facility and temporary dwellings for locals to have an “in-between” place to stay.
“There are also kiosks and spaces that evoke the street vitality of both cities, as well as a pedestrian bridge with landscaped areas at both ends,” she said.
