CONDIA + ORNELAS TRAVELING PRIZE
The artist is concerned with expressions, but he starts with the same sense of realization as the scientist does. And here might be well to say that the difference between a creative man (sic) and an artist is that a creative man is one who brings about the new image. He sees a new point of view. From this new point of view, he sees different things. And through this point of view, which others are not in possession of, he sees and makes images which are different. The artist is one who senses from this image. He senses the meaning of a new point of view.
Louis I. Kahn, Writings, Lectures, Interviews. Louis I. Kahn
GOAL OF THE PRIZE: The Condia + Ornelas Traveling Prize annually enables an outstanding graduate from the Department of Architecture in APDesign at Kansas State University to study first-hand significant architectural works and cultural values beyond the boundaries of the university. The prize recipient(s) will exemplify belief of the importance of understanding other cultures and studying places beyond one’s own comfort zone. Such an experience will benefit the awardee(s) and our profession by improving knowledge building upon a creative and innovative spirit which is the foundation of the lifetime education of an architect.
ELIGIBILITY: The Condia + Ornelas Traveling Prize shall be awarded to a student earning a Master of Architecture in the Department of Architecture in APDesign at KState. Eligible students will have graduated in the Spring semester of the academic year in which the prize is awarded.
AWARD: Up to two grantees will each be awarded $5,000 for four to six weeks of domestic or international travel centered around one primary area. Associated travel must be completed within one year of graduation. Eighty percent of the award will be given prior to the travel on approval of one’s itinerary. The remaining twenty percent will be dispersed upon return and the submission of a travel report that meets the standards set by the Condia + Ornelas panel. The format of the report will vary based on the project, but it must be made publicly. The final report, and its dissemination will be defined in discussions with the panel and clearly outlined prior to departure.
THE PROPOSAL: The candidate’s proposal shall be submitted as a PDF with a maximum of four page faces laid out in a spread. The submission should include a Statement of Purpose, Research Project, and Curriculum Vitae. The first page of the submittal should clearly and elegantly articulate the candidate’s personal design philosophy – their design values and goals, and how this philosophy influences and guides subsequent design work both in process and product. The candidate’s statement should serve as a preface and purpose for a Research Project. This argument must state a plan describing how they would use the prize. One page of the submission should be reserved for the candidate’s Curriculum Vitae, outlining their accomplishments and engagement while a student in APDesign. The entire contents for the first stage of the proposal must be completely anonymous, with name and/or initials removed. A removable cover page with name and contact information should accompany the submission.
RESEARCH PROJECT: This portion of the submission should clearly articulate what and why you would like to delve deeper into something you are curious or passionate about. What kind of impact do you want to make within the profession? Will you need to immerse yourself with some organization or some place to study the culture, help to understand its policies or do a deeper dive into some research that sparks your curiosity? What new knowledge or tools might you discover that can help a community change its path? Are you interested in working with a non-profit in New Mexico or downtown Los Angeles? Volunteering with Habitat for Humanity in South Carolina, or South Africa, or South America? What is it that might help you to understand another culture and place beyond one’s own comfort zone. What knowledge (experience) will help you to build a creative and innovative spirit on your trek to becoming an architect? Faculty mentorship is suggested and encouraged in the preparation of this portion of the submission.
SELECTION PROCESS: Each year the Department of Architecture invites all eligible students to submit a statement of purpose, research project, and curriculum vitae. Complete packages will be forwarded to an external panel of renowned professionals who have been selected by the Condia + Ornelas Foundation. After an initial screening of the first stage a limited number of students (up to six) will be asked to be more explicit about their proposal. The submission date for the first stage will be 5:00pm Monday 11 November 2024. Potential participants in the second stage will be informed by Friday 20 December 2024. Those selected will be more precise as to why this place; who you might work or collaborate with; what impact your research or professional development might have; and when your travels might occur. The refined or articulated proposal will be due Monday 10 February 2025 at 5:00pm. The Condia + Ornelas panel will then interview these candidates based on their refined proposal prior to the 2024 Spring Break. Up to two people will be chosen for up to two prizes after the interviews. The award will be announced privately to the candidate prior to the formal announcement which will be held at the next lecture in the Department of Architecture*.
The full submission for the first stage should be uploaded as a high-resolution PDF document to architecture@k-state.edu by 5:00pm 11 November 2024 with Condia + Ornelas Prize in the subject line. Any additional questions about the prize should be directed to architecture@k-state.edu.
To travel from country to country for so many months, remarked two charming acquaintances, the other day in Berlin -- won't you lose your sense of appreciation, dull your enthusiasm, so that you no longer see things except with a somewhat disillusioned eye? At times, as during our last talks together, your unexpected judgements really astonished us! . . . we suppose your intentions are not to miss anything the road has to offer . . .
Journey to the East, Le Corbusier (Charles-Edouard Jeanneret)
* Recipients of the Condia + Ornelas Traveling Prize will be asked to submit a paper copy of their submission to be housed in the Weigel Library.
Images top of page courtesy of Eli Kruse-Logan from left to right -- Saint Anthony’s Chapel, Edinburgh; and Ardvreck Castle, Lairg. 2019. Image below by Bob Condia -- Notre Dame du Haut Chapel, Ronchamp, France. 1979. Images bottom of page courtesy of Eli Kruse-Logan from left to right -- Broch of Gurness, Orkney; and Corrimony Chambered Cairn, Inverness. 2019.
"The Condia + Ornelas Fellowship reinforced why learning about the people within the context is essential when designing spaces in our communities. Most importantly, this fellowship allowed me to connect with incredible people and explore cities and sites beyond the pages of a book; traveling opened the door to the human-centered aspects of our profession. I often reflect on this memorable experience when considering my position and future architectural goals."
Haneen Abu-Sherbi, recipient of the Condia + Ornelas Prize