Students Awarded for Outstanding Designs using Concrete Masonry
The Concrete Masonry & Hardscapes Association (CMHA), along with the Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture (ACSA), is pleased to announce the winners of the 2025 Concrete Masonry Student Competition.
The competition recognizes six outstanding projects that utilize concrete masonry products as the primary material in the design of a state-of-the-art Fire Station, with an emphasis on local civic engagement. Students were challenged to design a fire station that accommodates diverse needs, ranging from equipment storage and gender-inclusive housing accommodations to recreation and civic events. Each project emphasizes the use of concrete masonry as a flexible, resilient method to convey form, function and expression.
The jurors chose first, second, and third place winners, along with three honorable mentions. Listed below are the names of the recipients, their project titles, and their faculty sponsor(s):
First Place: The Periurban Fire Station
Students: Alec Rosen & Akhil Singh
Faculty Sponsor: Sergi Serrat Guillen
Tulane University
Second Place: East Harlem Fire Station & Local Marketplace
Students: Rafah Alzindani & Era Hulaj
Faculty Sponsor: Suzan Wines
City College of New York
Third Place: Flash Point
Student: Michael Zemaitis
Faculty Sponsor: Erik Hemingway
University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign
Honorable Mention: Fire Station Number 7 – Re Axis
Student: Alireza Alikaei
Faculty Sponsor: Silvia Acosta
Indiana University
Honorable Mention: Underhill – Encinitas Fire Station #01
Students: Alvaro Nunez & Wenjie Zhuang
Faculty Sponsor: Peter Noonan
University of Maryland
Honorable Mention: The Dog House
Students: Andrew Dewalt & Stephanie Orr
Faculty Sponsor: Bryce Truitt
Georgia Institute of Technology
“Engaging the next generation of architects is critical to the future of our industry,” said CMHA President & CEO Robert Thomas. “Competitions like this not only highlight the creativity and innovation of today’s students, but also inspire them to see concrete masonry as a versatile, sustainable material with endless design potential. By challenging young designers to push boundaries and explore new possibilities, we help ensure that concrete masonry will continue to play a vital role in shaping resilient, community-centered spaces for decades to come,” Thomas added.
“Engaging the next generation of architects is critical to the future of our industry,” said CMHA President & CEO Robert Thomas. “Competitions like this not only highlight the creativity and innovation of today’s students, but also inspire them to see concrete masonry as a versatile, sustainable material with endless design potential. By challenging young designers to push boundaries and explore new possibilities, we help ensure that concrete masonry will continue to play a vital role in shaping resilient, community-centered spaces for decades to come,” Thomas added.
The competition jury included three distinguished members:
Marcus Shaffer, Pennsylvania State University
Annicia Streete, Louisiana State University
Mark Wilhelms, Best Block Companies