Exciting student projects, academic research, and fellowships at architecture schools in 2023

Continuing with our 2023 Year in Review series, we look back at the exciting design and research projects from students and faculty at architecture schools across the U.S. and abroad.
2023 proved to be a year filled with new academic research expanding on building materials, applications in AI, and 3D printed fabrication and modeling. We also covered the appointment of new academic fellows and published in-depth conversations about the results of their work, including the Harry der Boghosian Fellow and Schidlowski Emerging Faculty Fellow.
Archinect's ongoing Thesis Review series offers a look at the work and process of thesis projects produced each year by graduate and undergraduate students. In 2023, we connected with B.Arch and M.Arch graduates to dive into their process, architectural perspectives, and their post-graduation pursuits.

Gehry Prize Winner Sophie Akoury Retells Histories of the LA River Through an Architectural and Archival Lens
In January, we highlighted exciting thesis work from SCI-Arc graduate and Gehry Prize winner, Sophie Akoury. The M.Arch graduate was the recipient of the Gehry Prize for the Best Graduate Thesis for her project 51mi + 25km = 13ft. Her thesis explores "the city's infamous LA River and how its physical and historical existence parallels Lebanon's Beirut River. "

SCI-Arc Student Investigates How Artificial Intelligence Can Assist in 3D Modeling
Talk of architecture and AI has been a hot topic in 2023, with architecture firms, schools, and designers alike implementing and creating new methods of design. In January, we spoke with SCI-Arc EDGE graduate Jimmy Wei-Chun Cheng for our Thesis Review series. Cheng used his thesis to explore a new thought-provoking 3D modeling plug-in that challenges design "from the perspective of toolmaking and AI technologies [...] The plug-in proposes an alternative model to existing applications of AI and procedural methods."

Understanding a City’s Image: Exploring New York Through the Spatial Experiences and Perceptions of Its Users
In March, we connected with M.Arch graduate Jay Patel to discuss his thesis project, Urbanary — Enjoy the City While Moving. Patel, a graduate of NYIT's School of Architecture, shared how New York played a backdrop for his thesis project, which focused on "urban usability, how Kevin Lynch's work influenced his research approach, and how he shared his own path toward licensure in both India and the U.S."
Continuing to dive deeper into exciting architecture studios across schools in 2023, the Archinect Studio Pin-Ups series highlighted graduate studios in two prominent architecture schools in California and New York.

Breaking Down Architectural Techniques With USC School of Architecture’s Foundational Graduate Studio
Kick of the year, work from USC School of Architecture's foundational graduate studio, Graduate Studio 1: Form, Order, and Representation, was showcased in our fourth Archinect Studio Pin-Ups installment. The studio, taught by instructors Ryan Tyler Martinez of Studio Ryan Tyler Martinez and Jimenez Lai of BUREAU SPECTACULAR, focused on "giving students with no previous architecture backgrounds an opportunity to gain 'experience to foundational design concepts, disciplinary knowledge, and techniques for thinking about and developing fundamental architectural principles.'"

NYIT School of Architecture & Design's M.Arch Graduate Studio Explores 'Designing (Inter)Scalar Domains'
In August, we connected with Archinect School Partner NYIT to showcase the work of students from Marcella Del Signore's (NYIT Associate Professor and Director of the Master of Science in Architecture, Urban and Regional Design) M.Arch studio ARCH 802 Design-Research Studio "Designing (Inter)Scalar Domains. The Signore-led studio focused on designing "(Inter)Scalar Domains" and asked students to "conduct critical precedent studies, iterative design explorations, and generating design strategies through tectonics and material implementation. Students will develop research and communication skills, critical thinking, and architectural ideas through various modes of representation."
Another exciting year for architecture fellowships as we highlight the work and fellowship appointments in 2023. April proved to be an especially important month for fellowships with the release of two Fellow Fellows interviews and a deeper look into the work of Exhibit Columbus' University Design Research Fellows.

Architecture student Maya Matabwa named University of Illinois Chicago's Hartshorne and Plunkard Fellow
Kicking off fellowship announcements in 2023 was the appointment of University of Illinois Chicago M.Arch student Maya Matabwa as the second recipient of the Hartshorne Plunkard Fellowship in February. As part of the initiative, Matabwa will receive "financial support for up to three years, academic and professional mentoring, and a paid internship at HPA." Matabwa shared with UIC the importance of the fellowship, stating, "being here as a young, Black, Malawian woman is an honor, and I am thankful that I get to represent these different groups and contribute to diversifying the field."

Christina Chi Zhang named Harry der Boghosian Fellow for 2023-24
The annual appointment of Syracuse School of Architecture's Harry der Boghosian Fellow was announced in April and awarded to Christina Chi Zhang. At the time of her selection as the 2023-24 fellow, Zhang was completing her final year as an M.Arch student at Yale School of Architecture. According to Zhang, she will use the fellowship "to explore the limits and implications of photography, cartography, drawing, and virtual reality." During her time at Syracuse, she will be teaching two professional elective studios focused on her research project, Scales of Healing in Post-Traumatic Landscapes. Zhang's work will investigate "the tools of representation used to document, analyze, and represent post-traumatic landscapes at different scales."

Exhibit Columbus’ University Design Research Fellows Showcase Proposals That Activate the 'Invisible Spaces' of Columbus, Indiana
Archinect had a chance to visit Columbus, Indiana, the home of an impactful design exhibition led by the Landmark Columbus Foundation, called Exhibit Columbus. This city-wide event activates the entire community through presentations, events, architecture tours, and, most importantly, site-specific installations that showcase the unique architecture of Columbus. As the town welcomed big-named architects, designers, and urban planners to participate in a two-year event cycle, the Foundation also recognized architecture academics and researchers by inviting them to engage with the community and respond to an open call that asks participants to highlight the area. This year, seven projects were presented and installed around Columbus by University Design Research Fellows.

Uncovering the Untold Histories of American Campus Expansions with Boghosian Fellow Leen Katrib
Last year, in May 2022, Archinect reported on the appointment of Leen Katrib as the 2021-22 Harry der Boghosian Fellow. Having completed her fellowship experience, Katrib spoke with Archinect about her experience at Syracuse University as an emerging architecture educator and researcher. Concluding her time as a der Boghosian Fellow, Katrib produced her fellowship exhibition titled LESS IS... During our conversation, we discussed the details of her academic journey, what led her to apply to become a fellow, and what she hopes to build after completing the fellowship.

To be determined, an exhibition by François Sabourin, the 2021–22 Schidlowski Emerging Faculty Fellow at Kent State University. Video courtesy of François Sabourin.

Exploring Architecture’s Uncertain Nature With Schidlowski Fellow François Sabourin
In April, we conducted another special Fellow Fellows interview with François Sabourin, the 2021–22 Schidlowski Emerging Faculty Fellow at Kent State University. Sabourin explored "architecture's relationship with uncertainty" through his final exhibition work, To be determined. Following his time teaching at Kent State, Sabourin shared that the nine-month fellowship "comes with a relatively set expectation of a final exhibition [...] I spent my year exploring the idea of flexibility in architecture, in large part because, as a concept, it's used both profusely and very loosely in architectural practice and discourse [...] This research led up to an exhibition in Kent State’s Armstrong Gallery. I built a set of robotic walls that could interact in scripted yet unpredictable ways with visitors."

NOMA announces its 2023 summer fellowship cohort by welcoming 13 architecture students and graduates
Over the summer, NOMA announced its latest cohort of NOMA Future Faces Fellows. Formerly known as the NOMA Foundation Fellowship, this year's group consisted of 13 architecture students and graduates from 11 architecture schools across the country. Fellows participated in two-month-long summer fellowships at various architecture firms to promote mentorship, professional practice exposure, and a $2,000 travel reimbursement in addition to a $1,000 licensure stipend once they become licensed architects.

University of Toronto researchers develop a fluid-based light filtering technology to help with heating, cooling and lighting in buildings
Exciting work from the University of Toronto showcased a new type of multilayered fluid window prototype that is "to be an effective tool in the push toward greater sustainability in the building industry." Researchers found much inspiration and design influence from animal biology, like the changing pigments of squid skin.

University of Illinois Chicago faculty selected for leading roles at Venice and Chicago architecture biennials
Work from two faculty members from the University of Illinois Chicago’s College of Architecture, Design, and the Arts was a part of the 2023 Venice Architecture Biennale’s ‘Everlasting Plastics’ exhibit and the 2023 Chicago Architecture Biennial. Norman Teague's bespoke plastic fabrication installation was showcased in Venice, while Faheem Majeed served as the Chicago Biennale's art director.

Florida Atlantic University's Joseph Choma leads students to explore folded fiberglass structures
Director of Florida Atlantic University School of Architecture, Joseph Choma, shared another innovative studio project with Archinect, highlighting his research on folded architecture and fabrication. Choma's work continues to explore "design methods through complex geometric structures, materials, and experimental construction methods." For this latest research studio, students worked to develop and construct a foldable pop-up structure for Google.

University of Michigan researchers detail new 3D printed upcycled sawdust material for formwork
Contributions in 3D printing and materials science continue to grow as researchers from the University of Michigan Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning’s Digital Architecture Research & Technology (DART) Laboratory developed a more sustainable way of applying concrete casts using a "fully biodegradable BioMatters material made from sawdust."

A new Kharkiv School of Architecture student project delivers valuable design solutions for rebuilding schools in Ukraine
An inspiring student project led by the Kharkiv School of Architecture focused on "improving the educational experience of Ukrainian schoolchildren." Called the "First-Aid Spatial Kit" initiative, students were tasked to develop "copyable designs for various interventions (furniture, pavilions, play spaces, etc.), which, in turn, can be implemented using readily-available materials by affected school districts looking for 'self-help' solutions in rebuilding."

In UCLA's 'Fit for the Future' research studio, Julia Koerner and AUD students navigate the intersection of 3D printing, architecture, and climate change
Architect, educator, fashion innovator, and 3D printing expert Julia Koerner showcased the work of students in her research studio, Fit for the Future: 3D Printed Sustainable Building Skins. Over the course of the 2022-23 academic year, twelve students investigated emerging 3D printing technologies and questioned how this innovation, combined with sustainable building materials and methods, may create "risk-resilient architecture for the 21st century that mimics the natural world’s resilience, adaptability, and beauty."

University of Buffalo architecture students displayed 3D printed "Archi-texture" in special Hong Kong Design Centre exhibition
Graduate students from an architecture media seminar led by Gregory Serweta, Maia Peck, and Lukas Fetzko at the University at Buffalo School of Architecture and Urban Planning explored the possibilities of 3D printed "Archi-texture" through a special exhibition showcasing folded paper apparel. Students were tasked with blending architecture and fashion by "working with 3D modeling software and a CNC milling machine to complete a process that helps them understand the relationship between two-dimensional planes and three-dimensional modeling, according to the professors."
Be sure to follow Archinect's special End of the Year coverage by following the tag 2023 Year In Review to stay up to date.