Architecture Students Excel at AACC

For the second year in a row, Anne Arundel Community College's architecture students received top honors and special recognition for their skilled designs.

The Maryland American Institute of Architecture recognized AACC students Aida Penafiel of Crofton and Christopher Reyes of Crofton for their work.

At the AACC Board of Trustees meeting on Tuesday, both students were recognized for their accomplishments. 

President Dawn Lindsay gave them all a special complement about the work they had done in front of the college's administration building, where they volunteered their time for exterior designs.

"What they've done for the administration building is unbelievable," Lindsay said. "I can't even begin to give them enough credit for what they've done."

Penafiel won first place for Excellence in Hand Delineation for her project, “The Sydney Opera House.” Reynolds won first place for Excellence in Design and Presentation for his project, “The Form of Texture.”

Reyes also received a Jurors Citation in Design and Presentation for his project, “Ecoforms – Assateague National Seashore.” Both Reynolds’ and Reyes’ entries grew out of projects in Professor Michael D. Ryan’s Architectural Design 4 class, according to a press release.

Penafiel won an American Society of Interior Design student competition award two years ago, making her the first student at AACC to win both interior design and architecture state awards. 

Penafiel has broadened her studies and now is studying interior design, architecture and art at AACC. She hopes one day to use all the skills she earns in creating special spaces for ordinary people.

Reynolds won last year’s first place award for Excellence in Hand Delineation, making him the first student to win two top state AIA awards. Reynolds graduated magna cum laude in May 2012 with an Associate of Applied Science in Architecture from AACC. He is continuing his architectural studies at the Savannah College of Art and Design.