The American Institute of Architects (AIA) St. Paul Chapter is thrilled to announce the results of the 2024 AIA St. Paul Prize design competition. In late December, a jury of Tim Shortreed, AIA, Jacob Mans, AIA, Yonggyun Noh, Oleg Kozlovskii, AIA, and Alan Howell, AIA reviewed the submissions and was deeply impressed by the exceptional quality of work presented.

Winner: “Rondo Poetry District”

The winning submission, Rondo Poetry District by Evan Hall, AIA, captivated the jury with its innovative concept of transforming poetry into form. The design’s focus on processing loss through poetry ties beautifully into the competition’s theme, connecting the past and future of the community. By prioritizing poetry as the central element, the proposal invites the community to carry the vision forward without forcing definitive architectural forms, allowing poetry to shape the space. This idea of turning poetry into physical models is both imaginative and profound, earning the top spot in this year’s competition.

Honorable Mentions:

  • The Terrarium by Austin Autrey: Recognized for its strong design concept and exemplary reuse of the Sears building, this submission stood out with magazine-worthy renderings and a highly developed approach, firmly in schematic design territory.
  • Hills of Renewal by Jason Jirele: Praised for its innovative adaptive reuse of the Sears building and the subdivision of the block to enhance walkability, this submission was one of the most detailed and thoughtful entries.
  • RE-LINK by Jakob Mahla and Derek Ronding, Assoc. AIA: Celebrated for its incredible graphic style and compelling storytelling, this proposal left a lasting impression on the jury.

The AIA St. Paul Chapter extends its heartfelt thanks to all participants for their thoughtful and creative contributions. Each submission reflected a deep understanding of the prompt and showcased the talent and vision of our design community.

To celebrate the exceptional talent showcased in the competition, all submissions are featured below. This virtual exhibition allows a broader audience to appreciate the innovative ideas that came out of this two and a half week competition.

Eden Boes, Assoc. AIA

Image 1 of 7

About the St. Paul Prize

The St. Paul Prize Design Competition is an annual program focused on celebrating and recognizing innovative ideas by young design professionals. Architects and designers within 10 years of graduating from an accredited professional degree program are eligible to participate. Learn more