by Center for Architecture
The Center for Architecture and AIA New York are proud to announce the 2018 winners of the Stewardson Keefe LeBrun Travel Grant (apply here):
- Amanda Aman, AIA, LEED AP BD+C (Dallas, TX) – “Fragile Fields of the Arctic Circle Periphery”
- Eric Salitsky, AIA, LEED GA (Brooklyn, NY) – “Exploring the Global Phenomenon of Multifaith Spaces”
- Sandra Vivanco, AIA, SEED (San Francisco, CA) – “The Feminine and the Modern: Six Pioneer Architects in Latin America”
The purpose of the LeBrun Grant is to further the personal and professional development of early- or mid-career architects through travel. The Center for Architecture awarded a total of $25,000 for 2018, distributed between the three recipients, to allow them to complete their research and travels.
2018 LeBrun Recipients
Amanda Aman, “Fragile Fields of the Arctic Circle Periphery” – $10,000 Award
Amanda Aman’s travels will focus on Arctic environments and their distinct typologies. She plans to visit the western coast of Norway, the northern coast of Iceland, the southwestern coast of Greenland, and the southern coast of Alaska. During her travels, Aman will investigate the effects of climate change and document existing systems and architectural responses in these locations. Her explorations of the Arctic Circle periphery will serve as a catalyst for future design investigations in Arctic environments.
Aman is currently a project architect at Welch|Hall Architects and an adjunct assistant professor at the College of Architecture, Planning and Public Affairs at the University of Texas at Arlington. She received a M.Arch from the University of Texas at Austin and a B.Arch from the University of Virginia.
Eric Salitsky, “Exploring the Global Phenomenon of Multifaith Spaces” – $7,500 Award
Eric Salitsky will travel to cities in North America and Europe to document the design and history of multifaith worship spaces. To Salitsky, multifaith spaces can potentially serve as living rebuttals to tribalism and divisiveness, showing how people of diverse backgrounds and beliefs can successfully worship in the same space without conflict. Salitsky will visit airports, hospitals, universities, and other public institutions in New York, Boston, London, Manchester, Zurich, and Berlin to investigate how people of different faiths share sacred space. Through his travels, Salitsky will discover exemplary spaces that are both functional and inspiring.
Salitsky is currently a designer at ICRAVE NY. He received a M.Arch from Pratt Institute and a B.A. in Philosophy and Religious Studies from University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Sandra Vivanco, “The Feminine and the Modern: Six Pioneer Architects in Latin America” – $7,500 Award
Sandra Vivanco’s trip will focus on the projects of six notable Latin American women in architecture. She will travel to major cities in Mexico, Cuba, Colombia, Chile, Argentina, and Brazil to experience first-hand the work of the following architects:
- Clara Porset, Mexico and Cuba (1895-1981)
Carmen Portinho, Brazil (1903-2001)
Itala Fulvia Villa, Argentina (1913-1991)
Luz Sobrino, Chile (1913-1998)
Lina Bo Bardi, Brazil (1914-1992)
Luz Amorocho, Colombia (1922-)
During her travels, Vivanco will explore the specific circumstances—culture, gender, and territory—surrounding their design practices. She will observe and appreciate the significant contributions of women architects working in a Latin American context.
Vivanco is a Professor of Architecture and Diversity Studies at the California College of the Arts and founding principal at A+D, Architecture + Design. She received a M.Arch from Columbia University.
The Center for Architecture, in partnership with AIANY, awards scholarships and grant awards throughout the year, for incoming and current architectural students, architectural student journals, practicing architects and design professionals. For more information, please visit our Grants and Scholarships page.