IFPC Student Awards
Competition Bridges Two of Idaho’s Greatest Natural Resources: Students and Forest Products
By bringing together two of Idaho’s natural resources — students and wood products, the University of Idaho’s College of Art and Architecture and Idaho Forest Products Commission have joined forces with the Idaho chapter of the American Institute of Architects to establish the Best Use of Idaho Wood Architectural Design Awards.
“It was an excellent opportunity for students to connect with the natural resources around them and opened the possibility for working with wood products as a medium for their comprehensive design projects,” says Diane Armpriest, U-Idaho associate professor of architecture.
The competition was open to the 10 students in Armpriest’s Arch 553 course. Each student created a design plan based on the actual construction of a new Pitkin Forest Nursery building. Entrants were challenged to create buildable and conceptually strong designs that met the needs of the client. While wood is a common building element, students were encouraged to explore new, innovative ways in which to use it.
Part of the students’ experiences included outings to learn more about wood as a building material. They visited with professional foresters at the University of Idaho’s Experimental Forest for an up-close look at Idaho’s forests, the breadth of tree species in the woodlands and learned more about the role forestry plays in wood production. They also visited a sawmill in Grangeville to see the process of turning logs into lumber.
”It’s exciting to see University of Idaho architect students consider how to best use wood in their designs. It’s a great opportunity for them to take a closer look at a locally grown building material that’s sustainable, renewable and beautiful,” says Betty Munis, director of Idaho Forest Products Commission. “The students are truly inspiring and we’re honored to sponsor this project.”
This is the inaugural event of the Best Use of Idaho Wood Architectural Design Awards.
The project also helped students build stronger connections to other professionals. Students connected with Chris Patano, the architect for the actual Pitkin Nursery project. Patano reviewed the students’ work three weeks prior to the competition’s end.
“It was great to see the projects, they are at a high level,” says Patano.
The projects are being judged by a jury of experts from around the region: architect Steven Rainville from Olson Kundig Architects in Seattle; Ken Gallegos, past present of AIA’s Idaho chapter; and Marc Brinkmeyer, Idaho Forest Group chairman. Students will have an opportunity to meet with the jurors and receive feedback on their projects.
The results of the competition were showcased in the Reflections Gallery through Nov. 23.