Congratulations to the Craft+Detail Graduate Prize First Place Winners, Nathan Blaim and Ryn Blackburn as well as their professor Niloufar Emami.
About their winning project Nestled Arches: We are using concrete, demonstrating how the very same material that can be a hindrance on nature can also provide resources for the animals living in it, when utilized in a meaningful way. The river is our focal point, attracting the water loving warbler. Our concept nests the aesthetic of arching gateways within the existing structure under bridges. Bridges are recurring thresholds between land and water, providing a covered structure for the bird’s nests to stand over water, as they desire, while ensuring protection from any predators or human danger. The arching shape is aesthetic as well as functional, utilizing the bridge pillars to maintain structural integrity. By fabricating with a sturdy material like concrete, the prothonotary warbler is provided a lasting home within the urban environment.
Congratulations to the Craft+Detail Graduate Prize First Place Winners, Nathan Blaim and Ryn Blackburn as well as their professor Niloufar Emami.
About their winning project Nestled Arches: We are using concrete, demonstrating how the very same material that can be a hindrance on nature can also provide resources for the animals living in it, when utilized in a meaningful way. The river is our focal point, attracting the water loving warbler. Our concept nests the aesthetic of arching gateways within the existing structure under bridges. Bridges are recurring thresholds between land and water, providing a covered structure for the bird’s nests to stand over water, as they desire, while ensuring protection from any predators or human danger. The arching shape is aesthetic as well as functional, utilizing the bridge pillars to maintain structural integrity. By fabricating with a sturdy material like concrete, the prothonotary warbler is provided a lasting home within the urban environment.
This October, Jaime Torres Carmona, AIA, received the FAA Distinguished Legacy Award 2026.
Jaime is the founder and principal of Canopy, and award-winning architecture and urban design practice based in Chicago. Jaime’s notable work include the Enlace Community Center in Little Village, OSO Apartments in Albany Park, and Encuentro Square Master Plan.
This October, Jaime Torres Carmona, AIA, received the FAA Distinguished Legacy Award 2026.
Jaime is the founder and principal of Canopy, and award-winning architecture and urban design practice based in Chicago. Jaime’s notable work include the Enlace Community Center in Little Village, OSO Apartments in Albany Park, and Encuentro Square Master Plan.
Congratulations to Professors Joseph Altshuler and Nekita Thomas on their new book! Supergraphic Landscapes: From Public Art to Urban Design has been published in October 2026.
Congratulations to Professors Joseph Altshuler and Nekita Thomas on their new book! Supergraphic Landscapes: From Public Art to Urban Design has been published in October 2026.
Congratulations to the Junior Earl Prize 2nd Place Winner, Margaret Schmidt as well as their professor Hugh Swiatek.
About their winning project Woven Together: “Situated in downtown Urbana, Woven Together investigates how housing can be redesigned to create connections between residents, while still maintaining the autonomy of an individual resident. Initial research exposed how American housing is designed to fit the needs of a traditional nuclear family, leaving many groups with living spaces that do not support their needs and lifestyles. This project aims to serve both young professionals and elderly residents by creating spaces where age groups can gather on a variety of scales of privacy.”
Congratulations to the Junior Earl Prize 2nd Place Winner, Margaret Schmidt as well as their professor Hugh Swiatek.
About their winning project Woven Together: “Situated in downtown Urbana, Woven Together investigates how housing can be redesigned to create connections between residents, while still maintaining the autonomy of an individual resident. Initial research exposed how American housing is designed to fit the needs of a traditional nuclear family, leaving many groups with living spaces that do not support their needs and lifestyles. This project aims to serve both young professionals and elderly residents by creating spaces where age groups can gather on a variety of scales of privacy.”
On September 27, Prof. Joseph Altshuler welcomed Chicago Mayor, Brandon Johnson to the fifth edition of the Chicago Sukkah Design Festival.
The fifth edition of the Chicago Sukkah Design Festival is now open through October 19, 2026, featuring the work of multiple Illinois School of Architecture faculty members Wekeana Lassiter and Madalyn Asker. The Chicago Sukkah Design Festival brings together neighbors, community organizations, architects, designers, artists, and students to co-create sukkahs—structures inspired by Jewish tradition-reimagined as places of belonging, solidarity, and community identity.
On September 27, Prof. Joseph Altshuler welcomed Chicago Mayor, Brandon Johnson to the fifth edition of the Chicago Sukkah Design Festival.
The fifth edition of the Chicago Sukkah Design Festival is now open through October 19, 2026, featuring the work of multiple Illinois School of Architecture faculty members Wekeana Lassiter and Madalyn Asker. The Chicago Sukkah Design Festival brings together neighbors, community organizations, architects, designers, artists, and students to co-create sukkahs—structures inspired by Jewish tradition-reimagined as places of belonging, solidarity, and community identity.
Congratulations to the Senior Earl Prize Third Place Winner, Mariah Saniel, Miracle Thomas, and Samantha Hess, as well as their professor David Isern.
About their winning project Healing Canopy: Located between the small villages of San Francisco and Payorote in the Nauta District, Healing Canopy enforces spiritual connection and health education. The design reflects the hybrid quality of care within the space: traditional methods of construction with western integrations. Through familiar architectural elements, local materials and textiles, Healing Canopy builds trust with the Peruvian community. It envisions a nee approach to one’s healing journey—honoring tradition and embracing modernity.
Congratulations to the Senior Earl Prize Third Place Winner, Mariah Saniel, Miracle Thomas, and Samantha Hess, as well as their professor David Isern.
About their winning project Healing Canopy: Located between the small villages of San Francisco and Payorote in the Nauta District, Healing Canopy enforces spiritual connection and health education. The design reflects the hybrid quality of care within the space: traditional methods of construction with western integrations. Through familiar architectural elements, local materials and textiles, Healing Canopy builds trust with the Peruvian community. It envisions a nee approach to one’s healing journey—honoring tradition and embracing modernity.
As a teacher, mentor, and gentle guide to generations of Illinois architects, Kaha gave more than thirty years of teaching and service to the Illinois School of Architecture, including two decades as Associate Director advising undergraduate students.
Bachelor of Architecture 1966 • Master of Architecture 1974, University of Illinois • 1996 AlA Excellence in Education Award • 1999 FAA Excellence in Teaching Award • 2000 Campus Award for Excellence in Advising Undergraduate Students • 2025 Illinois Medal in Architecture
As a teacher, mentor, and gentle guide to generations of Illinois architects, Kaha gave more than thirty years of teaching and service to the Illinois School of Architecture, including two decades as Associate Director advising undergraduate students.
Bachelor of Architecture 1966 • Master of Architecture 1974, University of Illinois • 1996 AlA Excellence in Education Award • 1999 FAA Excellence in Teaching Award • 2000 Campus Award for Excellence in Advising Undergraduate Students • 2025 Illinois Medal in Architecture
Five Program Areas shape our curriculum, giving students the opportunity to think about architecture and design at different scales and through different media.
We have exchange programs with Munich and Switzerland.
Discover Architecture
Discover Architecture is a summer program on the University of Illinois campus. It is open to high school and pre-college students. The program is organized around the design studio and provides a studio-focused, design-intensive workshop over the course of a week.
Open post by archatillinois with ID 18021998783832107
