APDesign In the News

Kansas State University’s APDesign Celebrates 2025 Condia + Ornelas Traveling Prize Winners

MANHATTAN, Kan. — Kansas State University’s College of Architecture, Planning & Design (APDesign) is proud to announce that Matthew Murphy and Kylee O'Dell, both fifth-year Master of Architecture students, have been awarded the prestigious 2025 Condia + Ornelas Traveling Prize.

Established in 2020 by professors Bob Condia, FAIA and Wendy Ornelas, FAIA, the Condia + Ornelas Traveling Prize annually recognizes outstanding graduates from the Department of Architecture. This honor supports travel and study of significant architectural works and cultural values beyond the boundaries of the university.

Matthew and Kylee were selected from a competitive pool of candidates through a rigorous review process. Each awardee will receive a $5,000 grant to support four to six weeks of domestic or international travel focused on a primary area of study aligned with their personal and professional aspirations. Their experiences will culminate in a publicly shared travel report, enriching both their development and the broader architectural community’s understanding of global design practices.

The selection process involved an external panel of renowned professionals, including representatives from the University of Kansas, Utile Architecture + Planning, Annum Architects, and McHenry Shaffer Architecture, and Page. Candidates were evaluated based on their statement of purpose, research project, curriculum vitae, and a refined project proposal outlining the impact and intention of their proposed travel.

Murphy and O'Dell’s award-winning proposals stood out for their intellectual depth, passion for cultural understanding, and vision for meaningful impact within the architectural profession.

Kylee O'Dell’s proposal focuses on the inherently political nature of architecture and its capacity to foster social justice and community engagement. Her work has consistently explored the intersection of design, policy, and marginalized narratives, from addressing New York City's housing crisis to engaging with refugee communities in Copenhagen. Her upcoming travel project will continue this inquiry, examining the lifecycle of Olympic sites and their evolving relationship with surrounding communities.

Matthew Murphy’s proposal builds on his interdisciplinary approach, drawing from philosophy, literature, and art to rethink architectural narratives. His past research on philosopher Gilles Deleuze and writer Italo Calvino has shaped his understanding of cities as layered ideological landscapes. His travel will investigate how literature and architectural space intertwine, focusing on cross-disciplinary models that challenge traditional urban narratives.

"We are thrilled to support Matthew and Kylee as they embark on this important chapter of their professional journeys," said Professor Bob Condia. "Their curiosity, thoughtfulness, and dedication to understanding architecture beyond familiar contexts embody the very purpose of this prize."

The APDesign community congratulates Matthew and Kylee on this remarkable achievement and looks forward to the insights and inspiration their travels will bring.

APDesign's continued encouragement of student participation in events like these aligns with the Next-Gen K-State strategic plan's initiative to deliver impactful experiences through participation in local, regional and national competitions.

For more information about the Condia + Ornelas Traveling Prize or the Department of Architecture at Kansas State University, please contact:
architecture@k-state.edu