FIU architecture students test their 'materials and methods' knowledge in annual Walk on Water competition

Florida International University has shared the results of its annual "Walk on Water" competition. The contest puts second-year architecture students through a water gauntlet for a chance to earn an ‘A’ grade should their aquatic designs successfully carry them across the 232-foot-wide lake located behind the FIU library. This year, 98 students participated in the competition. 

Students who decline swimming the remainder for a ‘C’ grade will earn an automatic ‘F’ from their professor Jaime Canaves, who is conducting the competition as part of his ARC 1461 - Materials and Methods of Design course, now in its 34th year. Read about our 2022 coverage here.

Canaves shares, “Each year I’m proud of the students. After the students recover [from the race], they will look back and realize how rewarding their efforts were.” 

This year’s winners, Alina Usher and Sebastian Aguirre, say they completed their design in under two weeks, having to adjust their walking technique and add an extra component on the sole of their shoe platform after an early fall they later overcame to win the $1,000 prize. According to the school, they completed the race with a time of 59.6 seconds. 

“This taught me trial and error while making sure we stick to codes,” said Aguirre. “Sometimes working with clients, the best design isn’t the first thing that comes to mind. Sometimes you’d have to go back to the drawing board and change designs. It’s about perseverance and not giving up.”