GALVESTON, Texas (September 16, 2022) – Prairie View A&M University School of Architecture students took home first place honors at the 35th annual American Institute of Architects Houston Sandcastle Competition in Galveston, Texas. This was the 15th win of the College Challenge Award for PVAMU students since they first started competing in the competition back in 2000.
A group of students enrolled in PVAMU’s Architecture Summer Bridge Program, Architectural Concept Institute, as well as a few August graduates, made up the award-winning team that went against students from Rice University and the University of Houston. “Forty-three architecture and construction firms participated in the competition, with a total of 47 teams competing this year,” said Stephen Song, director of PVAMU’s Fabrication Center. Song supervised this year’s students with Abel Simie, manager of the Fabrication Center.
Not new to this, the future architects prepared and planned for several weeks to develop the design of their sandcastle masterpieces, commemorating the nation’s first African American President and First Lady, Barack and Michelle Obama.
“The Obama Presidential Center is under construction now and is expected to be completed in Chicago in 2024,” Song said. “The center represents a historic opportunity to build a world-class museum and public gathering space. It inspired and motivated our students to acknowledge the building to the public.”
Song said the team planned the overall sand building layout, constructed a signage frame, and designed and printed a poster and 3D printed models. “We used wood to build the forms to help construct the building on the beach out of sand and water. We assigned teams to accomplish each task. On the day of the competition, we used the wood frames to construct the design, and when it was done, we removed the forms and got ready for the AIA judges and the public to view our design.”
All competitors were judged on originality, artistry, technical difficulty, carving technique, and utilization of the site. More than showcasing their exemplary skills, students took advantage of every opportunity to network and have fun.
“This competition requires great teamwork and various skills in computer-aided design, graphics, digital and manual fabrications that our students will need for their future careers,” Song said. “In a short time, our young students experienced the entire design and build process in an architecture profession. This award acknowledges our Prairie View University and School of Architecture for excellent work.”
Brainstorming is already underway for next year’s competition. Until then, students will continue to explore new concepts and ideas in other architectural competitions as they set their eyes on win no. 16.
“We are grateful for the continuous support from our Dean, Ikhlas Sabouni, and our fellow faculty and staff in the School of Architecture,” Song said.
“Stephen Song and Abel Simie have been doing an excellent job organizing and training students to participate in the AIA Houston Sandcastle Design Competition for several years. The School of Architecture has been winning this competition due to their dedication and mentorship of our students,” Sabouni said. “This was an excellent start to the new academic year.”
-PVAMU-