The University of New Mexico has announced that Chris Cornelius, the Department Chair of Architecture, has received the Best of Practice Award for Best Small Practice in the Southwest from The Architect's Newspaper in recognition of Cornelius' architectural piece "Otaechiah (Crane)." The award reflects his talent and dedication to advancing architectural design and cultural understanding, the school reported.
"It is wonderful recognition of my practice called, studio:indigenous, and the work that I do with Indigenous communities and cultures across the country," Cornelius said July 31 in a release by UNM.
The Best of Practice Awards, presented annually by The Architect's Newspaper, acknowledge "remarkable achievements and innovative contributions to the field of architecture," with Cornelius' exemplary work standing out for its ability to seamlessly integrate culture, history, and contemporary design principles, the release stated.
“It is a permanent land acknowledgment that I designed for Lawrence University in Appleton, WI. Lawrence University wanted to acknowledge that their campus is located on Menomonee Land in what is now known as Wisconsin. The Menomonee are indigenous to the state and inhabited that land long before it was a state," Cornelius said.
The award-winning piece, "Otaechiah (Crane)," which was installed in 2021, melds traditional design elements with contemporary concepts, creating a harmonious and meaningful structure that pays homage to the Menomnee heritage and values. Lawrence University has been working hard to recognize that they are on Menominee land and want to incorporate this element into the university community, the release explained.
The piece serves as a catalyst for meaningful discussions about indigenous communities' historical connections to the land. The piece blends traditional and contemporary design elements, paying homage to Menominee heritage and values at Lawrence University, the release added.
"The piece doesn’t symbolize anything specific other than it is there to prompt discussion about those indigenous to that land," he said. "It does point toward the current Federal Reservation the Menomonee people inhabit."