Santa Monica College architecture and interior architectural design students won third place at the annual Barbara G. Laurie Student Design Competition hosted by the National Organization of Minority Architects.
SMC remains the only community college to reach the finals of this prestigious national competition for the second consecutive year. The awards were announced during the NOMA conference in Kansas City from Oct. 8-12.
The competition featured 41 National Organization of Minority Architecture Students chapters from across the country, including Cornell University, UCLA, UC Berkeley, USC, Pratt Institute and Georgia Tech.
Student teams designed a mixed-use development in Kansas City encompassing multi-generational housing, a cultural center and a creative space. The SMC team's design, titled "Cadence," aimed to support the Paseo West community affected by disinvestment.
The building's massing drew inspiration from jazz history, featuring dynamically offset volumes that evoke rhythm and resilience. The design reflects jazz's departure from traditional structures, with a multi-use space serving as architectural syncopation.
Students spent eight months developing their entry. After a five-minute Zoom presentation in August, the top 16 teams advanced to final 10-minute in-person presentations in Kansas City.
"This year was the first time we combined the Interior and Architectural Design curriculum into one shared studio," said Professor Josephine Hao.
SMC offers degree and certificate options in both programs, with articulation agreements at seven California architecture schools allowing third-year transfers.
For more information, visit smc.edu/architecture.
Edited by SMDP Staff