College of Architecture and Urban Studies gears up for 50th Anniversary with design competition, displays in Cowgill Hall
In preparation for its upcoming 50th anniversary celebration in 2014, the College of Architecture and Urban Studies recently sponsored a competition for an icon and poster design to commemorate the milestone occasion. College of Architecture and Urban Studies students, faculty, staff, emeritus faculty, and alumni were invited to submit their designs, either as individuals or in teams. Entrants were challenged to create a design demonstrating strong artistic design and reflecting the educational heritage and history of the college. The competition concludes with a week of special exhibits and presentations Nov. 12 through 16.
All of the entries from the competition, including the five finalists, will be on display in the main lobby of Cowgill Hall Tuesday, Nov. 13, through Friday, Nov. 16. The winner or winning team will be announced on Thursday, Nov. 15, and will receive a $5,000 prize.
The entries were evaluated by an independent jury, made up of Sagi Haviv, a partner and designer at Chermayeff & Geismar, a leading graphic design firm in the fields of corporate identity, brand development, and logo design; Lisa Mahar, College of Architecture and Urban Studies alumna and founder of Kid O; and Rocco Piscatello, founder of Piscatello Design Centre, an independent strategy and visual design systems consultancy working for clients and cities worldwide.
The three jurors, all accomplished designers, will give presentations on their own work on Wednesday, Nov. 14, from 7 to 9 p.m. in the Hancock Hall auditorium.
A series of posters created by juror Rocco Piscatello will also be on display of the first floor of Cowgill Hall Nov. 12 through Nov. 16. The Complete Poster Works for the Fashion Institute of Technology is a collection of 19 limited edition posters created by modernist graphic designer Piscatello. The posters were purchased by the Art + Architecture Library in support of the 50th anniversary of the college.
The exhibits and presentation are free and open to the public.
Between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., parking for Cowgill Hall is available with a visitor’s pass in the Derring Lot located on Perry Street. There is additional parking available in the Perry Street Lots and the Perry Street Parking Garage. A visitor’s pass may be obtained Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Visitor Information Center, located at 965 Prices Fork Road, near the intersection of Prices Fork and University City Boulevard next to the Inn at Virginia Tech and Skelton Conference Center. A visitor’s pass may also be obtained from the Virginia Tech Police Station, located on Sterrett Drive, outside of the Visitor Information Center hours. Find more parking information online or call 540-231-3200. After 5 p.m., Free parking is available for Cowgill and Hancock Hall in the Derring Lot located on Perry Street. There is additional parking available in the Perry Street Lots and the Perry Street Parking Garage. Find more parking information online or call 540-231-3200.
The icon and poster design competition, Piscatello exhibition, and juror presentations are just the beginning of many activities planned to commemorate the milestone anniversary for the college, which has built a strong international reputation for innovative research, education, and design since its inauguration in 1964.
