Each year, the American Institute of Architects (AIA) holds a home design competition for collegiate architects. They inspire students to design innovative residential spaces along a specific theme. This year’s theme: “Here + Now.”

AIA encouraged student architects to envision homes in light of “context, culture, and vernacular, but fully embracing 21st century technology and ideas of domesticity.” In essence, the institute asked students to examine the design of current homes—the rooms deemed most important, the flow of spaces, the dominant materials—and to consider how each design choice reflects on broader cultural understandings of homelife and family.

Bellevue architect Eric Drivdahl reflected on the competition. “Based on the winning entries, it appears that there is a bright future for residential design taking a more integrated and holistic approach to housing solutions that address not only aesthetic concerns but also a host of other pressing needs in housing: affordability, ecological and sustainable priorities, co-housing, in-fill urban development, housing equity, energy independence, and other vital issues facing housing in our communities and cities.”

Students of Architecture

As technology continues to advance and day-to-day life evolves to accommodate its influence and demands on our time and resources, it’s important that architectural design likewise incorporates these factors into creating efficient, effective residential spaces.

“Students have always been a source of innovation and have helped move the profession forward with fresh and passionate ideas about how to improve our built environment and housing options,” Eric said.

“Here at GHDA, we have enjoyed the input and contributions that student interns have provided over the years. We generally take on one or two summer interns and have also collaborated with local high schools to facilitate student capstone projects focused on architecture, particularly residential design. Interns have contributed to GHDA projects as well as worked on self-directed design explorations with mentoring and input from our staff and principals. We greatly enjoy these opportunities as it aligns well with our core value of training and empowering our staff to become the best architects possible.”

Part of our continuing growth as artist architects comes through mentoring young architects and challenging them to grow in their own art. We learn even as we teach, and our collaboration with one another results in more innovative home designs.