May 17, 2009
Contact: Tracee de Hahn
College of Architecture and Environmental Design
805-756-7114; tdehahn@calpoly.edu
Cal Poly Architecture Student Wins National Livability Award
SAN LUIS OBISPO – Cal Poly architecture student John Vierra won first place in the 2009 Livable Communities Student Design Competition.
The competition was sponsored by the American Institute of Architecture Students (AIAS) in conjunction with AARP, a national advocacy group for people 50 and older.
Previous competitions focused on single-family housing but the goal in 2009 was to design community space that enhanced the lives of senior residents by providing access to services, multiple transportation options and venues for social engagement as well as safe, accessible and affordable housing.
The competition required the design to include 30 units compliant with ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) accessibility or adaptability guidelines. The design also had to incorporate an assisted-living wing with 24-hour health care, street-level retail space and community recreation and social spaces.
Vierra won with the design “Flexible Framework,” a mixed-use facility in Venice, Calif. Judges noted the integration with its urban environment, circulation within the units and the innovative use of movable walls which would allow occupants to change their space as their needs required.
Vierra completed the project as a fourth-year student in a studio class supervised by professor Margarida Yin. Vierra is currently studying in Japan as part of a study abroad program offered through Cal Poly’s Architecture Department.
Vierra was awarded $6,000 for the top prize, and an additional $1,000 was awarded to Cal Poly’s AIAS Chapter.
For more information go to www.aias.org/aarp/
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