51吃瓜

51吃瓜 (FSC) was pleased to recently host an exciting, first-ever student competition among Architecture and Construction Management Professor Orla Smyth LoPiccolo鈥檚 architectural design (ARC 486) class and Urban Horticulture & Design Adjunct Assistant Professor Ashley Crespo鈥檚 general horticulture (HOR 465) class. 

In total, 31 students broke into eight architecture-horticulture paired teams, each collaborating on conceptual redesigns for the College鈥檚 historic Hicks Hall building. Constructed in 1914, Hicks Hall was one of FSC鈥檚 first buildings housing the College鈥檚 original horticulture classrooms. The now closed building, which features a red brick fa莽ade and a stately columned portico, was named after local family business owner Henry Hicks (1870-1954), a renowned horticulturalist and dedicated supporter of FSC.

The Hicks Hall and Teaching Gardens Conceptual Redesign Competition鈥檚 parameters tasked students with creating housing for visiting dignitaries and connections to the Robert F. Ench Teaching Gardens. The competition concluded with student presentations and a judging event in the Campus Center Student Lounge, with FSC President Robert Prezant, PhD, serving as one of the esteemed campus judges. 

鈥淲e matched up two classes that happened to be on the same day, but different times,鈥� said Smyth LoPiccolo. 鈥淎nd we've had a couple of group meetings throughout the semester, but other than that, the students had to collaborate outside of class. And today, we're very excited to give them the opportunity to showcase their hard work.鈥�  

鈥淥ur two classes have worked interdisciplinarily to create some visions for what this area can look like,鈥� said Crespo. 鈥淎nd we are truly proud of what our classes have done to come up with these brilliant ideas.鈥� 

With many teams opting to preserve the building鈥檚 iconic front exterior, the students鈥� designs varied with features such as sunken courtyards, native plant palettes, fenestrated extensions, winding pathways, and modern green roofs. Some projects incorporated nearby structures as well. The winning entries showcased a stunning sensory garden, a new student lounge and caf茅, a large greenhouse, and sunlit guest rooms.

Student Perspectives
鈥淚 really enjoyed helping my teammates with the project鈥檚 concept,鈥� said Seydi Castellon Henriquez, 鈥�26, an architectural engineering technology major. 鈥淎nd I think this was a great experience to add to my resume.鈥�
Linda Reyes, 鈥�25, an architectural engineering technology major, shared that while it was challenging scheduling time to meet as a team, she enjoyed the opportunity to explore FSC鈥檚 beautiful campus. 鈥淭he project encouraged us to get out and walk around campus together,鈥� she said.

鈥淢y favorite part was the final product and seeing how it all came together,鈥� said Amelia Kongevold, 鈥�26, a horticultural technology management major. 鈥淎nd seeing how much the communication between the architecture students and us, the horticulture students, improved over time. Our teamwork has really grown from where it started. And these skills, learning to work alongside others in different fields, can definitely apply to the real world. I think it was a great opportunity and gives us a glimpse of what our future careers will look like.鈥�

鈥淭his project was a great way to connect both departments,鈥� said Teresa Peterson, 鈥�26, a horticultural technology management major. 鈥淚 was nervous at first, but last week we had our mock presentation and seeing it all pieced together, there was a sense of excitement.鈥� 

鈥淎s a general horticulture student, it鈥檚 hard to visualize where I鈥檓 going to be after graduation because there are so many different routes to take, it鈥檚 not just design,鈥� Peterson added. 鈥淪o, it has been really satisfying to be able to put my skills to use and actually see how it would come together.鈥� 

鈥淭his was my first time combining two different classes,鈥� said Divjot Rai, 鈥�25, an architectural engineering technology major. 鈥淎t first, it seemed like it would be difficult, but it ended up coming together really nicely. I was excited when we went to see Hicks Hall in person. To actually be able to look at the site that I was going to be working on, and talk to the students that would be incorporated, was really enlightening for me. Plus, we鈥檙e working on something that is also benefiting us as students.鈥�

鈥淲e spent a lot of time reworking things to bring the horticulture and architecture students together to make it a cohesive concept,鈥� shared Amira Mohamed, 鈥�25, an architectural engineering technology major. 鈥淭hat was probably the most challenging part, but also the most fun as well. We all enjoyed the problem solving and being able to bring everything together was really rewarding. Learning to incorporate different perspectives into one project really does teach you real-world experience. 

鈥淎nd looking around today, I see such amazing talent,鈥� she added. 鈥淚 really admire everyone.鈥� 

To view photos from the Hicks Hall and Teaching Gardens Conceptual Redesign Competition, please visit our .

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