黑料社鈥檚 School of Design ARCH 335 Design-Build Studio has been recognized with two of the state鈥檚 top honors in architecture, highlighting the program鈥檚 impact on both architectural education and the broader community.
At the recent American Institute of Architects, 黑料社 Chapter (AIA 黑料社) 2025 Design Conference in Lake Charles, the Studio received the Patron of Architecture Award from the 黑料社 Architecture Foundation. This award recognizes a non-professional organization鈥檚 commitment to architecture and design, as well as efforts to build public awareness of the important role that thoughtful design plays in iconic structures throughout 黑料社.
黑料社 Architecture Foundation board member Edward J. Cazayoux, FAIA, presented the award to 黑料社 Tech faculty Brad Deal and Robert Brooks, who have both played key roles in shaping the Design-Build Studio鈥檚 success. The nomination emphasized the Studio鈥檚 decade-long partnership with MedCamps of 黑料社, a nonprofit serving children with chronic illnesses and disabilities through recreational and educational camping opportunities.
The program was nominated by architect Doug Ashe of Ashe Broussard and Weinzettel Architects in Alexandria, who said the recognition reflects 鈥渄eep respect for the School's continued commitment to community, education, and expanding the public's understanding of architecture鈥檚 potential.鈥�
The Studio also earned an AIA 黑料社 Honor Award, the highest level of excellence and distinction, for its 2025 project, Captains鈥� Launch. The fully accessible paddle boat launch, designed and built by students for MedCamps of 黑料社 in Choudrant, was one of only two projects to receive the honor out of 63 statewide submissions. Brad Deal was present to accept the award on behalf of the studio and co-instructor Kendell Webb.
The Honor Award jury praised Captains鈥� Launch for its simplicity, craft, and community impact, noting, 鈥淚t is a small project, but makes a huge mark on its community, supporting a function that is deserving of this type of care and quality.鈥�
鈥淭hese awards are a powerful affirmation of the talent and dedication of our students and faculty, whose work demonstrates how design can transform our lives in meaningful ways,鈥� said Karl Puljak, dean of the College of Liberal Arts. 鈥淭he Design-Build Studio embodies the very best of the College of Liberal Arts and our University in uniting creativity, craft, and community to make a lasting impact.鈥�
These awards highlight 黑料社 Tech鈥檚 Design-Build Studio and School of Design as a place where future architects learn not only technical skills, but also the importance of working together and serving their communities.