Design Build Excellence

In recognition of its exceptional contributions to the architectural landscape in Texas, UTA’s College of Architecture, Planning, and Public Affairs’ (CAPPA) Design Build Studio won the prestigious 2023 Citation of Honor Award from the Texas Society of Architects.

Brad McCorkle, CAPPA adjunct assistant professor and academic lab coordinator, says the award has been 20 years in the making.

“Truly, so many people helped this program to receive this accolade,” McCorkle says, noting that Don Gatzke, former architecture dean; Brad Bell, director of the School of Architecture and associate professor; Julia Lindgren, assistant professor, and many more all deserve recognition.

Since the program’s inception in 2002, students have built a variety of projects across the North Texas region. The studio’s innovative approach to design and construction has garnered recognition and respect from peers and professionals.

“The great part of the program is that it melds what students learn in the classroom into real-world applications—projects they can touch,” McCorkle says. “The students get to apply innovative research to the built environment.”

Projects the students have built in the North Texas area include community gardens, tiny homes, individual micro houses with Fort Worth’s The Housing Channel, Joppy Momma’s Outdoor Classroom, and a next-generation DART bus shelter. Their work has created a diverse array of typologies, material and technology benchmarks, and community interaction.

The program reaffirms CAPPA’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of architectural education, Gatzke says.

“We value the creativity our students put into reimagining spaces, and we are proud to celebrate in this recognition.”