Fentress Architects announced the jury for the 2018/2019 Fentress Global Challenge (FGC), which recognizes the most innovative and creative student designs for an Airport of the Future. The panel of eight esteemed jurors are experts from the world of architecture, aviation, space, and education. The jury will evaluate the top designs and select the three final winners. This year’s jury includes: 

Curtis Fentress, FAIA, RIBA, Founder and Principal in Charge of Design of Fentress Architects

Thomas Pellegrin, Head of Consulting – Asia & Middle East, IATA

Christine Negroni, Air safety specialist, journalist, and author of The Crash Detectives

Dr. Charles Waldeheim, Director, Office of Urbanization at the Harvard University School of Design

Ken Gidlow, Technical Advisor, FAA at the NASA Johnson Space Center

Dr. David Alexander, Professor of Physics and Astronomy at the Rice Space Institute

Bryant L. Francis, C.M., Director of Aviation at the Port of Oakland

Khaled Naja, Executive Vice President of Airport Development and Planning, Dallas Forth Worth International Airport

Upon the release of the shortlist on July 1, 2019, jury members will assess each shortlisted design based on creative approach, response to site, sustainability, and functionality. On July 17^th, the jury will meet to determine the First-Place winner, who will receive US$10,000 in prize money along with the opportunity to accompany Curtis Fentress to a prestigious architectural event where the winner(s) will receive their award. Three additional winners will receive smaller cash prizes.

Sponsored and administered by Fentress Architects since 2011, the FGC’s goal is to engage students worldwide in the exploration of future design possibilities in public architecture. The theme, consistent with Fentress’ expertise in airport design and aviation, is envisioning an Airport of the Future. Participants are encouraged to re-imagine an airport terminal building in the year 2075, focusing on local context, technological trends, project innovation and passenger experience. These ideas can be displayed in photographs, diagrams, renderings, animations, collages, or other visualizations.

The competition is open to graduate and undergraduate students currently pursuing architecture or engineering degrees and recent graduates (within the last four years) that have a degree in those subjects as well. Participants can register for the competition and submit their visionary Airport of the Future designs until May 31, 2019 at 11:00PM GMT.