Showcasing the profession’s future leaders & designers by recognizing the outstanding work of Texas middle & high school students.
The Texas Society of Architects and the Education Outreach Committee are proud to host the annual Student Design Challenge. This challenge is designed to recognize the incredible work done at the middle and high school levels in Texas and to showcase our industry’s future leaders and designers. Designs of all types are acceptable, including buildings, structures, community centers, temporary housing, and transportation. Theoretical design solutions such as cell phone apps, events or festivals, and any other non-traditional design solutions are acceptable.
The submission deadline for the 2024 Student Design Challenge was Monday, Sept. 16.
Finalists and winners will be recognized at the Texas Society of Architects’ 85th Annual Conference and Design Expo, which will take place in Houston on October 3–5, 2024.
The Texas Society of Architects Education Outreach Committee hosted an information session discussing the 2024 TxA Student Design Challenge — rewatch it below! For additional questions, contact sharna@texasarchitects.org.
Theme: The Bridge: Community + Connector
A bridge is often identified as a physical element tying two places together, often overcoming an impassable pathway. As designers, we have the rare opportunity to create something unexpected. While bridges can be recognized as a physical connector, it can also be a metaphorical bridge connecting communities, cultures, or persons. Students are encouraged to explore ideas to reimagine an existing bridge in or near the place of their choosing.
Sparking Your Creativity:
To be considered for a 2024 Texas Society of Architects Student Design Challenge finalist, projects must be submitted in accordance with the following requirements:
All submissions will be reviewed and evaluated by the Education Outreach Committee, which will select the finalists in each category for final review by jurors using the following criteria:
Projects should be entered as PDF presentations via Submittable form. Download the PDF of the full challenge guidelines, requirements, and presentation tips.
See these projects below to help spark ideas. Remember, this competition is open to your interpretation of the theme and your own creative design solution.
Promotional & Informational Resources
The Texas Society of Architects 2023 Student Design Challenge, themed “EMERGE: EVOLUTION THROUGH DESIGN” saw 84 submissions come in from 14 different high schools across 12 Texas cities. We received 48 individual projects and 36 team projects.
Six finalists presented at our 84th Annual Conference & Design Expo in Fort Worth on November 2, 2023, and jurors selected two winning projects. Thank you to all who entered and congratulations to the winners!
View the 2023 Finalist Presentation Videos.
2023 Most Outstanding Individual
Children’s Healing Center
Mayar Badi
The Guthrie Center | 11th Grade
Houston
2023 Most Outstanding Team
Veru Asilo
Andrea Rodriguez | Joanna Rubio | Miranda Serrano | Jonas Zamora
El Dorado High School | 12th Grade
El Paso