The University of New Mexico School of Architecture + Planning (SA+P) and the Thornburg Foundation recently revealed the winners of the 2024 Jeff Harnar Awards. The awards, established by Garrett Thornburg in 2007, commemorate the legacy of the late local architect Jeff Harnar and his pioneering work in contemporary design.
During the awards ceremony held at the School of Architecture + Planning's George Pearl Hall, renowned architect Benjamin Gilmartin of Diller Scofidio + Renfro delivered a lecture.
SA+P Dean Robert Alexander González expressed his admiration for this year's submissions, stating, "These awards honor exemplary design and shine a light on innovative contemporary projects happening across the region, and this year’s submissions were truly outstanding. Congratulations to all of the winners for the ways in which they are expanding the boundaries of architectural design in the Southwest."
The top prize for Contemporary Architecture in the Southwest was bestowed upon Baker Architecture + Design for their work on Lincoln Elementary School in Gallup, N.M. Mark Baker of Baker Architecture + Design detailed the project, emphasizing how it "unites the cultural diversity of the student body with the sustainability and functionality of a contemporary elementary school."
Gabriel Fries-Briggs and César A. Lopez clinched the Unbuilt Architecture award for their project, Public Domestic, which explores the impact of mutual aid and solidarity on domestic spaces, particularly within Latino/a/x communities in Central New Mexico.
Superbloom received the award for Unbuilt Landscape Architecture for their project, Bluff Lake Nature Center in Denver, Colo., which aims to enhance access to nature in Denver while showcasing ecological and resilient design practices.
ROMA Architecture was recognized with the Social Justice Award for their project, Walatowa Early Childhood Education Center, in Jemez Pueblo, N.M. The firm emphasized the importance of honoring the tribe's traditions, culture, and language in the design process.
Among the student awards, Andrya Mojena Cutié from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas secured the First Prize Student Award in Architecture for their project, Stage Cue: A New Gateway to the Las Vegas Arts District. Jeffrey Coons from The University of New Mexico was awarded the First Prize Student Award in Landscape Architecture for their project, Starscape: Preserving and Appreciating Dark Skies in New Mexico.
Prescott Trudeau of the University of Michigan was granted the Social Justice Student Award for their project, 247365: Site of Social Experiment. Tristen Durham from The School of Architecture received a special Student Design-Build Award for their project, The Silt Slab Cinema (Prosthetic Architecture).
As the event concluded, it was announced that applications for the 2025 Jeff Harnar Awards cycle will open next spring. Congratulations to all the winners of this year's Jeff Harnar Awards!