The Department of Architecture celebrated the achievements of its graduating students on Monday, April 27, as families, friends, faculty, and peers gathered in the BEA Gallery for the 2026 Department of Architecture Awards. Held in conjunction with the 2026 School of Architecture Graduating Class Exhibition, the event marked a memorable evening of recognition ahead of commencement ceremonies.
The awards honored outstanding student work across a wide range of studios, showcasing the creativity, innovation, and dedication that defined the Spring 2026 semester. Selected projects and award recipients will also be featured every Thursday this summer in the FIU Architecture Master Project Awards 2026 series on Instagram.
Among the recognized studios was Alfredo Andia’s Archipelagos of Retreat: High-Density Habitats on Biscayne Bay, where Mariah Barbosa was honored for Ecotone Complex, and Dior Crooks, Zachary Pinthieve, and Anthony Barney were recognized for Infinite Cloud.
In Jaime Canaves’ studio, Expanding Territories for FIU, Paulina Hurtado received recognition for FIU BBC Expansion: Arts, Media and Performance Campus, while Daniela Pujala was honored for FIU Marine Gateway.
Marcelo Ertorteguy’s studio, (UN) BUILD, celebrated Jorge Rumero for New Suburbia, which also earned the prestigious Master Project Super Jury First Award. Emily Hernandez was recognized for Anderson’s Corner.
Nick Gelpi’s Museum of Light studio honored Stephanie Sisco Valera, recipient of the Master Project Super Jury Second Award, alongside Katarina Sori for their exceptional work.
In Eric Goldemberg’s studio, The Radical Hive – Housing Amalgamations, Fabiana Garcia and Camila Martinez were recognized for Reconstructing Genoa’s Lost Geography, while Leah Edmondson-Wood was honored for Fragmented Continuity: Reimagining Social Housing in Begato.
Felipe Mesa’s Architecture of Live Collections: Detroit Botanical Conservation Center studio highlighted the work of Sherlyn Gonzalez for Cymatic Conservatory Center and Celeste Jonco for Radial Ecologies.
Claudio Salazar’s Global/Local Urban Movements studio recognized Spencer Sant for Architecture at the Urban Edge and Brandon Linares for Public Plaza.
Finally, Cynthia Ottchen’s studio, Architect as Cultural Agent: Navigating Globalization in Miami’s Urban Fabric, celebrated Nakeia Martin for NOIS Museum and Andrea Rodriguez for Motion of Becoming.
The evening served as both a celebration and a moment of reflection on the years of dedication, collaboration, and creative exploration demonstrated by the graduating class. As the Spring 2026 semester comes to a close, the Department of Architecture proudly recognizes the remarkable accomplishments of its students and congratulates all award recipients on their success.
To see more images from the award ceremony, click here
