December 17, 2009

Tayler Simpson won the $1,000 Colvin Capstone competition with his presentation, "The Meridian," a mixed-income, mixed-use development located on 14th Street in Washington, DC, between the revitalizing U Street and Columbia Heights neighborhoods. The Capstone was mentored by David Roodberg of Horning Brothers.

The Fall 2009 CAPSTONE presentations took place Sunday, December 13 from 1:00pm - 7:00pm in the Architecture Auditorium in the School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation.  Fifteen graduating students presented ten minute PowerPoint presentations followed by question and answer sessions by judges Abe Rosenthal, Principal of 28 Walker Corp; Andrew Roud, Development Director, St. John Properties; and Andrew Klamon, VP for Development, Concord Eastridge, Inc.

Tayler's vision for the vacant land was to help connect the 14th and U Street Corridors and preserve the diversity of the neighborhood by filling the gap between the big box retail development up the hill in Columbia Heights and along U Street to the existing community.  A key component of the development was its commitment to the community, and a key factor in the judges consideration, was the $1.5 million donation to the Boys and Girls Club of America D.C. chapter adjacent to the site, along with meeting many other neighborhood goals.

Special thanks goes out to Ritsaart Marcelis, a newly minted University of Maryland architect who provided design services to Tayler as well as 3 other students in the same Capstone. Each Capstone student is provided 10 hours of design services from a student or recent grad of the School's architecture program compliments of the Colvin Institute.

Special thanks also to the other Capstone mentors: John Lin with Capstar, Jon Eisen with StreetSense, Robert Rauch with Robert D. Rauch & Associates, James Agliata with Westfield, and Sarah Higgins with Community Builders, as well as Jacqueline Rogers and John Colvin, who provided instructional oversight for a key Capstone course.  All the Capstone students had additional writing and presentation skills sessions provided by Jacqueline Rogers and Vicki Lathom throughout the fall term.

The competition was capped off by a buffet dinner in the Kibel Gallery and presentation of the award to Taylor by Margaret McFarland and the judges. Special thanks to Assistant Director Susanna Florance, Tameka Boggs, Program Coordinator, and Graduate Assistants Adam Stone and Mariela Garcia Colberg.

Kudos to all involved! Spring Capstones are scheduled for Sunday, May 16, please plan now to be there!!  They are a lot of fun, and rewarding for students, mentors, judges, family and friends.

The School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation at the University of Maryland is home to four academic disciplines: architecture, urban planning, historic preservation and real estate development. Committed to educating its students and community about the importance of sustainability and smart growth, the School practices an interdisciplinary approach to education, research, creative work, and community and professional service. For more information, please e-mail us or call 301.405.8000.

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