Arts and Entertainment

Online exhibit highlights globally-inspired architectural designs

Credit: Penn College / Penn State. Creative Commons

WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. — A restaurant in Argentina, an aquarium in Ireland and a resort in Singapore are just a few of the awe-inspiring architectural design concepts created by Pennsylvania College of Technology students and available for viewing in an online exhibit titled “Architecture & Sustainable Design.”

The virtual display opened Dec. 4 on the website of The Gallery at Penn College and showcases the talents of 15 seniors in the college’s bachelor of science degree major in architecture and sustainable design: John H. Bernbaum, Waynesboro; Collin J. Egelhoff, Loganton; David B. Fischetti, Mechanicsburg; Stephanie A. Flick, Wind Gap; Kristina M. Holland, Mechanicsburg; Taylor J. Hurst, Etters; Liam W. Jones, Reading; Chad M. Karper, Hummelstown; Olivia Kleman, Shamokin; Austin J. Kohl, Pittsburgh; Damon T. Liuzzo, Carbondale; Keegan B. Mack, Kingsley; Drew P. Miller, Williamsport; Donald J. Reisch, Lititz; and Dylan T. Spanier, Dillsburg.

The students, who are all on track to graduate in May 2021, have designed houses, stores, restaurants and hotels with sustainable features. Their projects are imagined in locations around the world. The images featured in Architecture & Sustainable Design are the students’ designs through renderings, plans and other drawings that explain the concepts and layouts of their projects. A few videos are also offered in the online display.

“Architecture is more than just designing a pretty building; it is the sculpting of an atmosphere,” said Fischetti. “As an architect, it is our job to create what has yet to be created and to thoughtfully weave sustainable practices into a functional human environment. True architecture is the balance between solving human-level problems, creating an impactful aesthetic to the community, and benefitting the surrounding environment the structure lives in.”

In her artist’s statement, Kleman said: “Sustainable architecture is designing and creating buildings while generating a positive impact on the environment. Designing sustainably should entail a process that puts this planet first, improves the quality of present-day life, and sets forth a positive impact of the future of design. It is a way for designers to create a vision of the beauty within this planet, while providing a place of comfort and a balance between life and the environment.”

This is the third time The Gallery at Penn College has displayed the portfolio projects of seniors in the architecture and sustainable design major. The spring 2020 exhibit was also in an online format due to the global pandemic.

An educational resource for students and a cultural asset to the college and community, the gallery is dedicated to promoting art appreciation through exhibitions of contemporary art.

Penn College’s architecture programs have a long history and a strong reputation. Students have won awards as team members for the Department of Energy Race to Zero and the National Association of Home Builders’ Show competitions. Graduates are well-versed in sustainability and are making significant contributions to the built environment.

Penn College offers a bachelor of science degree in architecture and sustainable design and an associate of applied science degree in architecture. To learn more about the degree offerings, visit www.pct.edu/architecture or call the School of Engineering Technologies at 570-327-4520.

For more about the college, a national leader in applied technology education, visit www.pct.edu, email admissions@pct.edu or call toll-free at 800-367-9222.

Last Updated December 9, 2020