Science and Technology University

Thomas P. Murphy Design Studio Building nominated for ‘Building of the Year’

Public voting will determine the winner of the contest sponsored by World-Architects, a prestigious industry network of architects and builders.
Students meet in the Thomas P. Murphy Design Studio Building

Students meet to discuss a project in the Thomas P. Murphy Design Studio Building. Photo: TJ Lievonen/University of Miami

The recently-opened Thomas P. Murphy Design Studio Building, a state-of-the-art building at the University of Miami School of Architecture that was designed by Arquitectonica and built by Coastal Construction Group, has been nominated for 2018 Building of the Year by World-Architects, a prestigious worldwide network of architects and building professionals.

Thomas P. Murphy Design Studio BuildingThe facility, located on the Coral Gables campus and part of the School of Architecture complex, opened in late November and provides students with an ideal space to work on their projects. The 20,000-square-foot building is in essence a single, oversized shed, featuring a vaulting roof, suspended 18 feet over a floor by narrow steel pipe columns and a few fixed walls, to create a sense of openness and allow natural light to permeate throughout the space. 

“The enthusiastic reception worldwide is a great validation of the tremendous effort and care invested by all in the project—the university,donors, architects, and builders,” said Rodolphe “Rudy” el-Khoury, dean of the School. “Designboom listed it as one of the 10 best buildings in the education category and we are now thrilled to see it as a candidate for Building of the Year honors. Making the list of the 2018 finalists is an achievement in itself, given the illustrious company. Winning would be just awesome.” 

World-Architects is a membership-based, premium network of select contemporary architects and building professionals, advocating quality in architecture.

The Thomas P. Murphy Design Studio Building is nominated along with 42 other buildings in the United States. The building with the most public votes by the end of January will be highlighted in the World-Architects February newsletter and online. 

To vote, visit: https://www.american-architects.com/en/building-of-the-year