The Master of Architecture Program is pleased to announce that Francesco Lonardo is the winner of the 2022 Walter Harrison Thesis Award.
Francesco Lonardo’s project: The East Bank Performance Center, in Brooklyn, New York.
The award is given yearly in honor of former University President Walter Harrison, who was instrumental in the establishment and development of the University of Hartford’s Master of Architecture Program. The award is given to the student with the most outstanding Thesis Project. Projects must be timely in nature, thoroughly thought out, comprehensively developed, graphically stunning, and effectively presented. Graduating Master of Architecture students who have successfully completed and presented their thesis projects are eligible, and only one award is given per academic year.
Vince Mack, Collegiate Budget Manager, CETA"I enjoyed attending the Master of Architecture Thesis presentations. It was remarkable to see the intentionality behind each structure, and how the students want to see the world in the future."
Master of Architecture Thesis Projects were presented on Friday, April 22, with the College of Engineering, Technology, and Architecture (CETA) hosting the event in the Harry Jack Gray Center’s 1877 Club. The work of the second-year graduate students was on display from noon to 1 p.m., followed by individual presentations and reviews. The event closed with a reception in the Rotunda from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., where the award was presented.
Second and third place honors went to Brandon Fuentes and Eric Cantar, respectfully.
The student thesis effort was supported by Thesis Director, Daniel Davis, and Thesis Coordinator, Mark Hopper, as well as the Thesis Committee of Ioana Barac, Terri-Ann Hahn, William Richter, David Rodriguez, Stephen Smith, and Tyler Smith.
CETA Dean Hisham Alnajjar was pleased with the high turnout, as more than 200 people were in attendance. The Thesis Juries were organized into three groups of seven or eight industry professional reviewers (with over 500 years of combined professional experience) who provided feedback following each student presentation. Firms represented included Amenta Emma Architects, Atelier Cue, Crosskey Architects, Foster + Partners, Friar Associates, JCJ Architecture, Newman Architects, LA, Phase Zero, Pickard Chilton Architects, QA+M Architecture, SLAM Collaborative, and TSKP Architects.
Our congratulations to Francesco Lonardo and all of the thesis candidates.