The Master of Architecture experience culminates with the thesis review, a written and oral presentation of a site-specific project developed over the student’s final program year. The thesis is a composite of skill, design thinking and interpretation; equally important, the thesis gives each student the freedom to apply their academic knowledge experience to a significant, often personal project that reflects a specific interest or career path. Students work under the guidance of a faculty thesis committee of three—from thesis match to presentation—to create a written and illustrated document then encapsulates their unique vision.
Each year the thesis exercise highlights the exemplary talent emerging from the master’s program and this year was no exception—the graduating class of 11 masters students examined and applied design to create community, bridge race inequality and imagine sustainable industry. For two days these students took their places in front of the jury in this quintessential rite of passage. The slideshow above provides a glimpse of their extraordinary work, beginning with the winner of this semester’s thesis, John Vogtman.
2017 Review Jury:
Bruce Abbey, RA, is Professor Emeritus and served as dean at Syracuse University from 1990 to 2002.
Kevin Bergeron, AIA, LEED AP is a graduate of the School of Architecture, Planning & Preservation and a senior associate at William Rawn Associates.
William Bonstra, FAIA, is a graduate of the School of Architecture and a partner in Bonstra | Haresign
Hazel Edwards, PhD, is Professor and Chair of the Architecture Department at Howard University, in Washington, DC.
Melanie Hennigan, AIA, LEED AP, is a graduate of the School of Architecture and is President of Grimm + Parker Architects.
David Kubik, AIA, LEED AP is a graduate of the School of Architecture, Planning & Preservation and an Associate Partner in BKSK Architects in New York City.
Michael Marshall, AIA, NOMA, NCARB is an award-winning practicing architect in Washington, DC. Mr. Marshall received his M ARCH from Yale University and His BS in Architecture from the Catholic University of America. He is principal in the firm Marshall Moya Design.
Barbara Mullenex, is a graduate of the University of Maryland and a registered architect. She is Principal at Perkins-Eastman specializing in interior architecture.
Susan Piedmont Paladino, RA, is Professor and Director of the Washington-Alexandria Architecture Center, College of Architecture & Urban Studies, Virginia Tech.
Andrea Ponsi, is an architect, artist, author, and educator in Florence, Italy. He is the 2017 Kea Distinguished Professor
Antonio Rebello, AIA, IIDA is a graduate of the School of Architecture, Planning & Preservation and Director of Design at Grimm + Parker Architects.
Christopher Rice, AIA, is a graduate of the School of Architecture, Planning & Preservation and a directs the Higher Education Planning Studio at Hord | Coplan | Macht.
Amy Upton, AIA, LEED Fellow, is Principal, Director of Environmental Design at Grimm + Parker Architects.