The 2016 AIA Virginia Prize competition began at 5 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 16 and ran over the course of one weekend.

Students from Hampton University, the University of Virginia, Virginia Tech—Blacksburg, and Virginia Tech—Washington Alexandria Architecture Center (WAAC) were eligible for the competition.

The 2016 Prize problem asked students to design a space bringing forward the many histories of the “First Africans in Virginia” historical marker located next to the Old Point Comfort waterfront walkway near Fort Monroe National Monument. The space needed to be a place for contemplation, congregation, participation, celebration, and performance. More problem information can be read here.

Jury Chair, Chuck Swartz, AIA, 2016 AIA Prize winner Xi Han, University of Virginia, and AIA Virginia President, Nick Vlattas, AIA
Jury Chair, Chuck Swartz, AIA, 2016 AIA Prize winner Xi Han, University of Virginia, and AIA Virginia President, Nick Vlattas, AIA

The Jury:
Chair: Chuck Swartz, AIA
Timm Jameson, FAIA
Johanna Huddle, Assoc. AIA
Kristin Baum, AIA

The Honorees:
2016 AIA Virginia Prize
Xi Han, University of Virginia
Said the jury: The design did a very good job connecting to the journey, the water, and the existing structures. The way that the site would change depending on the weather, time of year, and time of day, would make it a destination for travelers to see multiple times.

2016 AIA Prize winner Xi Han, University of Virginia.
2016 AIA Prize winner Xi Han, University of Virginia.

Best of School — Hampton University
Iroda Karimova
Said the jury: The design was simple and very strong visually. The balance between the collective and the contemplative was handled very well.

Best of School — University of Virginia
John Hatcher
Said the jury: The ideas and reasoning for the designs were very well thought out. The bird’s next walkways ended up being a very elegant solution to pedestrian travel.

Best of School — Virginia Tech
Divya Nautiyal
Said the jury: A very powerful design with a lot of flexibility for different events. The balance of action and contemplation was very good.

Best of School — WAAC
Ian Hunter
Said the jury: Understood the brief more than other submissions. Strengthened the presence of existing events with its emphasis on the experience.

Certificate of Merit
M. Ryan Delaney, WAAC
Carlin Tacey, WAAC

Notable
Luke Dale, Virginia Tech
Dennis Daniels, WAAC
Rachel Flanagan, Virginia Tech
Philippa Koenig, WAAC
Qian Li, Virginia Tech
Julian Lin, WAAC

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