Utah Valley University (UVU) is proud to announce that third-year architecture students, under the guidance of Professor Brandon Ro, have successfully completed a real-world project designing proposals for the National Museum of American Religion (NMAR). This semester-long project allowed students to explore the complex intersection of American culture, history, government, and religion by creating visionary designs for a new museum on the National Mall in Washington, DC.

As part of their research, the students conducted site visits to various museums, research centers, libraries, and government buildings. They were given a unique opportunity to tour the Utah Supreme Court, Senate Chamber, and House of Representatives Chamber, where they observed legislative debates on topics like the intersection of education and religion. These experiences provided valuable insights into how to design a museum that honors the complexities of American religious history within the framework of the Constitution.

The project reached its pinnacle in late April 2024 when students traveled to Washington, DC to present their final design proposals to representatives from NMAR. This extraordinary opportunity was made possible by Chris Stevenson, President and co-founder of NMAR, whose support and encouragement were instrumental throughout the process. The law firm Foley & Lardner also played a crucial role by hosting the student presentations and offering a professional environment for the event.

Travel for the students to Washington, DC was made possible through two generous grants through UVU's Center for Constitutional Studies (Civic Thought & Leadership Initiative) and the Smith College of Engineering and Technology (Student Affairs Funding). "We are very grateful to have received these grants on such short notice," remarked Professor Ro. "It turned the dream of visiting DC and presenting to a real-world client a reality."

The students’ experiences and the insights they gained from these interactions are reflected in their testimonials:

• Jenny Thorpe shared how the NMAR project not only deepened her architectural skills but also broadened her understanding of American society and constitutional studies. "Presenting our final museum design proposals to a real client was an incredible experience that instilled professionalism and added confidence in my abilities," said Jenny. "Engaging with industry experts and receiving feedback in such a professional setting was instrumental in preparing me for a career in architecture."

• Brownwyn Brown emphasized the value of working with an actual client, noting that "designing a 'National Museum of American Religion' for an actual group of people who are thinking and working towards creating a real museum was an incredible real-life experience." She added, "Walking in the Capitol, the Library of Congress, the National Archives, and other monumental buildings in DC was so much more educational than just looking at pictures in a book."

• Ben Chandler reflected on how the trip to Washington, DC, fundamentally shifted his perspective on architecture and American history. "Our trip to Washington DC was extremely insightful and honestly changed some fundamental beliefs I had about architecture and our nation’s history," Ben remarked. "Seeing our nation’s founding documents in person brought a sense of reality to an otherwise fantastical knowledge of our nation’s origins."

• Addasyn Everill highlighted the importance of client feedback in shaping her understanding of architectural design. "After presenting the final museum design proposal to the National Museum of American Religion, I am more confident in presenting to clients when I am in the real world," said Addasyn. "Visiting iconic sites in DC provided valuable real-world precedents that will influence my future projects."

• Pauline Daley noted how the project challenged her to think critically about architectural styles and client needs. "Presenting to a real client also proved to be both nerve-wracking and intimidating yet provided me with a better chance to really listen to what the client wanted and be held accountable for my design choices," Pauline explained. "Networking with professionals pushed me to strive for excellence in every aspect of the project."

• Tyler Hansel appreciated the hands-on experience and the opportunity to conduct field research. "I loved the chances that we had to visit local museums and conduct field research as part of our pre-design phase," Tyler said. "This was all topped off by the incredible chance to go to Washington DC and present our projects in person to the client, providing a glimpse at real-world experience for our future careers."

• Annie Andrus emphasized how engaging with real-world clients improved her communication skills and understanding of complex topics. "Presenting our final museum design proposals to the National Museum of American Religion provided a valuable opportunity to cultivate professionalism and confidence," said Annie. "We used the information gathered from site visits, lectures, and discussions to create an architectural design that exemplified what NMAR hoped to embody in their proposed museum."

• J. Wilson McConkie IV shared how the project brought the design process to life. "Having a real client for the National Museum of American Religion project added a sense of thoughtfulness and legitimacy to the design process," J. Wilson remarked. "The trip to Washington DC brought the whole design process to life, allowing us to see precedent buildings we had studied and to imagine our designs lined up with other museums on the National Mall."

• Alejandra Rojas Mackenna discussed the importance of experiencing the project's context firsthand. "Traveling to Washington DC, where the client is located, helped me take the project even more seriously because that is how a real proposal would be," said Alejandra. "Visiting national museums, historic federal buildings, and monuments helped me understand American history more deeply, which was crucial for someone like me who is not originally from the US."

• Sadie Stutz reflected on the challenges and rewards of the project. "To design a museum about religion that was not prejudiced and also inclusive to everyone sounded daunting at first," Sadie shared. "But after learning more about what this corporation is trying to accomplish, I quickly fell in love with the project. The experience of presenting to NMAR and visiting Washington, DC, provided invaluable insights into what my future career in architecture could be like."