UTA Architecture Students Earn International Recognition in Museum of Emotions Competition
Undergraduate architecture students Cristian Ernesto Madrid and Kevin Omar Negrete from the College of Architecture, Planning and Public Affairs (CAPPA) at the University of Texas at Arlington (UTA) have been awarded an honorable mention in the highly competitive Museum of Emotions International Architecture Competition for their project, “En El Camino.”
The competition challenged participants to conceptualize a museum that explores the relationship between spatial design and human emotions. Madrid and Negrete’s project was recognized for its compelling design, which reimagines the U.S.-Mexico border as a space for reflection, connection, and emotional reconciliation.
“En El Camino” offers a thoughtful response to the social and emotional complexities of migration and borderlands. Through intentional design, the project transforms the border from a place of division into a site that acknowledges shared experiences and fosters understanding.
“Architecture for me is the exploration of what the world ‘ought’ to be... a poetic balance between the realm of forms and our physical world.” said Madrid and Negrete in an interview following the competition.
Their recognition highlights the strength of UTA’s College of Architecture, Planning and Public Affairs, where students are encouraged to engage creatively and critically with global challenges. The college provides a strong foundation in design, research, and problem-solving while equipping students to make a lasting impact on their fields.
Madrid and Negrete’s work not only elevates the university’s reputation on a global stage but also underscores the importance of cultural and emotional narratives in architectural design.
The winning projects can be viewed on the Museum of Emotions competition page:
https://architecturecompetitions.com/museumofemotions5/
To learn more about the project and the students’ design process, read their interview here:
https://architecturecompetitions.com/museum-of-emotions-competition-participants-cristian-ernesto-madrid-kevin-omar-negrete-6206.