Virtual events became commonplace as in-person conferences, symposiums, and exhibitions switched to a virtual format. As event teams transitioned to digital platforms, the amount of work and effort showcased provided a humbling reminder of how far visual representations of work could be taken.

In November, the AIA Los Angeles and the 2x8 Committee showcased their annual 2x8 Exhibition and Scholarship Award Ceremony. In previous years, this in-person event would attract students, faculty, visitors, and more than 20 California-based schools to witness an exhibition that celebrates the very best the state have to offer. 

Besides student work and scholarship awards, what makes the 2x8 Exhibition so unique is the site-specific exhibition. The event has featured the works of notable LA-based architecture faculty such as Clay Holden, Julia Koerner, Matthew Gillis, and many others. 

This year, Garet Ammerman created the virtual exhibition design and digital platform (SCI-Arc alum and lecturer at Cal Poly Pomona) along with developer/UX designer Bryan Zhang. The event's opening night and live scholarship presentation provided a new spin on virtual awards and exhibitions. Through the use of gif diagrams, animation, digital models, and video commentary, the student work was connected through "a series of graphics that function as scaffolding." 

2x8 Committee chairs Tatiana Sarkisian Assoc. AIA, and Kirill Volchinskiy, AIA shared, "[the site] provides the visitor with a whole and contextual understanding of the project, the pedagogy, and the background of the student and her relationship to the work. The limitations of isolation led to a richer, multi-layered experience."

As the 2x8 Committee worked towards adjusting their event programming, what was developed brought an interactive twist to virtual exhibition design and provided a fantastic opening night where students and their works were highlighted and honored for all to see. 

To celebrate this year's winners, an esteemed panel of jurors (Jennifer Bonner Founder of MALL and Associate Professor of Architecture at Harvard GSD, Marc McQuade of Adjaye Associates, and Archinect's Paul Petrunia) awarded $30,000 worth of scholarships. The 2020 2x8 scholarships were awarded at two levels. Three projects were recognized with the top tier Domum level, with each honored student receiving a $5000 scholarship. Seven students won Locus level scholarships of $2200. 

Below are this year's winners and their projects.

Domum Level: $5,000 Scholarship

Many Villages, Sometimes by Violeta Smart
From: Cal Poly San Luis Obispo

Jury Notes: The jury was struck by Violeta's project for the intensity of drawings, spectacular spaces and insistence on making an architecture of "many." The programmatic position for a village is timely. Behind the color palette of pink and blue hues is a sophisticated set of sections and elevations that contain a mix of both repetitive housing blocks and shared public space.

Joy Cluster by Nadthachai Kongkhajornkidsuk
From: Cal Poly San Luis Obispo

Jury Notes: This project stood out because it reminded the jury of Tim Smith's original "5 over 1" housing blocks that first originated in LA. The student doesn't reference this housing type, but the jury sees a visual link. By creating a series of spaces that meander through public and private, Nadthachai used these modular units to break down the concept of a monolith and create unique aggregates that address an entire housing block.

Street Tectonics by Athenna Lim
From: Cal Poly Pomona

Jury Notes: Athenna interpreted the homeless tent as the modern-day primitive hut, using observed qualities of transient shelter to drive the mixed-use low-income housing. The quality of the drawings struck the jury on this project, as well as the relevance of the program and the depth of the narrative. The project is unwavering in its proposal that architecture is required to cultivate dignity and self-image for the city's vulnerable population.

Locus Level: $2,200 Scholarship

Black Beacon Spire by Daniel Silva
From: East Los Angeles College

Jury Notes: Through his inspiration for set design, Daniel created a beautifully illustrated storyboard portraying how his design acts as both a gateway and beacon for the city. By grouping programs together and truly analyzing his context, his project focused on bringing the community together in an innovative way.

Inside the Kaaba: An Exploration of Admittance by Eithar Alsayagh
From: Woodbury University - Interiors

Jury Notes: This project proposed a great concept for applying Augmented Reality within an existing structure. Through techniques of visualization and superimposing a new layer of information, Eithar provides a way to access an exhibit in any place in the world with inadmissible interiors. The project is timely, and deals with the shared COVID experience.

Partially Similar: Lineaments by Ezinneka Emeh
From: Woodbury University

Jury Notes: Ezinneka's project is beautifully conceived and drawn. The last drawing is of particular interest because of the dynamic quality as a hybrid drawing: shadow, linework, form, poche, circulation are stunning. The jury looks forward to following this person's work in the very near future.

Urban Micro Units by Jong (Andrew) Oh and Daniel (Huicong) Yu
From: SCI-Arc

Jury Notes: Jong and Daniel's project is typologically rigorous. Andrew and Daniel's project nicely balances between a slab building and a building that reads as aggregates. This alchemy of types also resolves the deep plan by introducing compelling voids at its center. It is clear this duo has wrestled with conceptual narrative and materiality in interesting ways.

Interpose by Josh Haag
From: Otis

Jury Notes: Josh approached this adaptive reuse project by creating a modular system that significantly differed from the existing structure, altering the spatial qualities of the building. The project responds to the pandemic through modularity and innovative design solutions.

Rethink Housing/Nurture Community Project by Selina Gottloeber
From: Pasadena City College

Jury Notes: With a strong emphasis on community, Selina explored solutions that advocate for co-living in a modern world. She drew inspiration from nature and healthy environments and was mindful of our current situation with the pandemic. By creating a safe coliving situation, even down to the specific materials chosen for surfaces, this project reimagines what a co-living home should look and feel like post-COVID-19.

SWIVILION by Stephen Curtiss
From: East LA College

Jury Notes: The project has a strong relationship between the facade, form, and structure. The student referenced ancestral heritage to derive the form into a compelling design that incorporates the cultural communities of the neighborhood.

Congratulations to this year's student participants and the 2x8 Committee!

Visit 2x8: Domum at: http://2x8.org (Chrome, Edge or Firefox browsers are recommended.)