Center for Architecture award recognizes student with non-traditional pathway into architecture

It is a place that Leticia Avila describes as having a “magical atmosphere” and ties together a dynamic career path the Master of Architecture student has been on.

Avila’s fall 2018 project, “Poetry Square” – a structure to house a poetry collection in ways that “radiate poetry” as guests are surrounded by “rhymes, metonymies, alliterations and oxytones.” It is no surprise that a design that plays to the senses would come from Avila, whose educational and profession path began in speech and hearing pathology.

With a pivot from a thriving career in speech and hearing, Avila, a native of Brazil, has found equal success early in her professional pursuit in the field of architecture. Evidence of this is found in her selection as the 2020 recipient of the prestigious Design Scholarship from the Center for Architecture  in New York City. The merit-based scholarship is dedicated to students obtaining their first professional degree in architecture, design, engineering, planning, or a related discipline in a program within New York state.

“To receive a scholarship in the field of architecture not only reinforces my passion about this profession, but also demonstrates that I am on the right path towards my endeavors and career goals,” Avila said.

Avila is in the School of Architecture and Planning’s 3.5 year program and has one class remaining to complete her studies. She engaged in research as part of her graduate coursework, focusing on ecology practices, material culture and sustainability through Graduate Research Group participation – a requirement central to curriculum for MArch students in the 3.5 year program. Avila supplemented her learning as an architecture teaching assistant in Structures 1 and Media 1 courses. She went on to work as an architecture intern for CannonDesign and gained experience alongside professionals in drafting tasks associated with various projects, proposal preparation and the development of presentations in collaboration with graphic designers at the firm.

Avila’s own original work carried out as an architecture student has been lauded including receiving awards for design excellence in Fall 2018 for “Poetry Square” as well as in Spring 2019 for the project “Chimneys,” an eco-focused art gallery. Her honors also include the 2018 Academic Excellence Award and the 2017 Good Neighbor Studio Competition Award. Avila also was included in the 2019 Good Neighbor’s Exhibition as part of the featured project, “Reciprocal Walls.”

As she concludes her academics here at the UB School of Architecture and Planning, Avila reflects on her most recent accomplishment in being selected for the Design Scholarship from the Center for Architecture.

“I am as elated to bring this award to the University at Buffalo as to having my dedication and academic performance being recognized.”