At a glance
“This project began as a question and evolved into something far more meaningful than I anticipated. It gave me the opportunity to think differently about water, change, and how we design for uncertainty. This experience will continue to shape my work going forward.”
Katie Petix
Alfred State architecture graduate Katie Petix (Bloomfield, NY), ’25, has been awarded the 2025 Edward Allen Student Award from the Building Technology Educators' Society (BTES).
The Edward Allen Student Award is the highest honor given by the Building Technology Educators’ Society. It recognizes students who over their academic career have demonstrated commitment, passion, curiosity, and excellence in the integration of building technology and architectural design.
Petix transferred into Alfred State and Architectural Technology (BS) after studying performing arts at another college. She decided to move into the Bachelor of Architecture program and crossed the stage at Commencement last weekend.
Her thesis Stasis in Motion examined new kinds of architecture for ecological spaces and was commended by the review jury for its attempt to span the often-siloed disciplines of architecture, landscape architecture, and environmental design.
“I am incredibly honored to receive this year’s Edward Allen Award from the Building Technology Educators Society,” commented Petix. “I would like to thank both BTES and the Architecture and Design faculty at Alfred State for the opportunity to share my thesis: Stasis in Motion, and to represent the success of our program alongside other distinguished colleges and universities. I would like to give particular thanks to my thesis mentors, Professor (Kevin) Hofmann and Professor (Alan) Vlakancic, for their insight, encouragement, and for always challenging me to go one step further.”
She continued, “This project began as a question and evolved into something far more meaningful than I anticipated. It gave me the opportunity to think differently about water, change, and how we design for uncertainty. This experience will continue to shape my work going forward.”
Petix has accepted a job at SWBR as a Project Designer.
