BLDD Architects is pleased to announce the recipients of the annual Because Life Deserves Design Scholarship: Audrey Miller, Mackenzie Strawn, Lauren Trodus, and Qixi Huang. Named for BLDD’s mission, “Because Life Deserves Design,” the scholarship celebrates high school seniors who stand out for their creativity, artistic drive, and promise to shape the future of architecture, interior or graphic design.
BLDD Principal Mark Ritz says, “At BLDD, we find great joy in working with our district partners to reward the talent of these seniors. As an architect, it is inspiring to see the potential they bring to the future of art and design.”
Students applied by sharing original artwork inspired by the phrase “Because Life Deserves Design,” along with a personal artist’s statement and proof of their plans to study design in college.
Audrey Miller of Rochester High School received this year’s "Best in Show" honors. Her ink, watercolor, and colored pencil drawing entitled “Formation” and her outstanding application made a strong impression on the jury panel of BLDD design specialists. Miller’s work captured the spirit of BLDD’s mission, earning her a $2,000 scholarship. She plans to attend Savannah College of Art and Design in the fall to study animation and architecture.
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In regard to her artwork, Miller says, “This experience reminded me of why I want to become a professional artist. I want to connect to viewers, to change or enhance their perspectives about themselves or the world. The cathedral complex itself, illustrated with ink, acrylic paint, watercolor, and colored pencil, became a palimpsest, with layers of architecture emerging through the lines, light, and color. The result was suggestive of a long history of the building, built in sections over decades or even centuries; I wanted to capture the movement of history in architectural space.” |
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Also of Rochester High School, winner Mackenzie Strawn was recognized for her extraordinary colored pencil drawing. For her overall application, Strawn was awarded a $1,000 scholarship. She also plans to study Architecture at Kansas State University in the fall. Of her piece, Strawn says, “This artwork is meant to represent the world through my eyes growing up. As a child, my dad picked up one of my blueprints and jokingly told me he would use it as the instructions for a playground he was building, I believed every word of it and truly thought that I was an architect. That experience motivated me to create not just playgrounds, but also buildings, homes, and communities.” |
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Lauren Trodus of Clayton High School (School District of Clayton, MO) also received the Because Life Deserves Design Scholarship with her architectural model of a sustainable school for children in Africa. Trodus was awarded $1,000 for her entry and plans to attend the University of Kansas in the fall to study architecture. |
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Qixi Huang of Clayton High School (School District of Clayton, MO) received an award with her mixed media self-portrait entitled “Forming Futurity.” Huang was awarded $1,000 for her entry and plans to study art at Rhode Island School of Design. |
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BLDD appreciates and is proud of all applicants who took the time to apply. BLDD has awarded over $33,000 in financial aid in recent years.
