Students from Santa Monica College's architecture and interior architectural design programs have achieved third place in the annual Barbara G. Laurie Student Design Competition, hosted by the National Organization of Minority Architects (NOMA). This outstanding achievement marks the second consecutive year that SMC has reached the finals of this highly prestigious national competition, maintaining its distinction as the only community college to accomplish this feat.
The competition results were announced during the NOMA conference held in Kansas City from October 8-12. This year's competition drew participation from 41 National Organization of Minority Architecture Students chapters representing universities and colleges from across the United States. The impressive roster of competing institutions included renowned schools such as Cornell University, UCLA, UC Berkeley, USC, Pratt Institute, and Georgia Tech.
The competition challenge required student teams to design a comprehensive mixed-use development project located in Kansas City. The proposed development needed to incorporate multi-generational housing, a cultural center, and a creative space, addressing the complex needs of an urban community. SMC's winning entry, titled "Cadence," was specifically designed to support the Paseo West community, which has been significantly affected by disinvestment over the years.
The design concept for "Cadence" drew creative inspiration from Kansas City's rich jazz history, a cultural element that deeply influenced the architectural approach. The building's massing featured dynamically offset volumes that were intended to evoke the rhythm and resilience characteristic of jazz music. This innovative design philosophy reflected jazz's historical departure from traditional musical structures, with the building's multi-use space serving as what the team described as "architectural syncopation."
The SMC student team dedicated eight months to developing their comprehensive competition entry, demonstrating significant commitment and thorough preparation. The competition process began with a five-minute Zoom presentation in August, from which the top 16 teams were selected to advance to the final round. These finalist teams then delivered 10-minute in-person presentations in Kansas City to determine the final rankings.
"This year was the first time we combined the Interior and Architectural Design curriculum into one shared studio," explained Professor Josephine Hao, highlighting the innovative collaborative approach that contributed to the team's success. This integration of different design disciplines appears to have strengthened the students' comprehensive approach to the competition challenge.
Santa Monica College offers both degree and certificate options in architecture and interior design programs, providing students with flexible pathways to pursue their design education. The college has established articulation agreements with seven California architecture schools, enabling students to transfer as third-year students and continue their architectural education at four-year institutions. For more information about SMC's architecture programs, interested individuals can visit smc.edu/architecture.
