National Competition Won by Students

Four master of architecture students from Washington State University-Spokane won first place in an open design competition hosted by the city of Walla Walla, WA, beating out professionals from across the country.

The student group entered on their own, outside of school curriculum, and during their summer break. With the competition complete, the Valley Transit and the Walla Walla Farmers Market Association will begin steps to getting the project built. The project is large and complex, and is exemplary in several respects. The design works to extend the urban edge of downtown with a two story façade of low-rise mixed use structures, in a modern vernacular style. The building wraps around threes edges of the site creating an inner courtyard, enclosing a market to promote sustainability through local food production.  By holding a design competition, the city of Walla Walla demonstrates its commitment to design excellence in public projects, and opens opportunities for young, unknown talents like the student group from Spokane, WA. For more information you can go to the competition website at www.wallawalladesign.com.

Group Members:

Colin Anderson
Blake Bural
Nicholas Carpenter
Ben Fields