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The Annual Architectural Awards Banquet History

Over the years, the Banquet itself has been referred to by many names including, "The Architects' Banquet," "The Awards Convocation," "The Architecture Spring Festival," and simply, "Dynamite!!" The term "A3 " was not instituted until 1975, when it was used in connection with a symposium on architecture held the day of the Banquet. In years before this, it was not unusual for the School of Architecture to host a distinguished guest speaker, among them William Caudill, 1961; Phillip Will of Perkins and Will, 1965; writer Tom Wolfe, 1970; Cesar Pelli, 1974; Bruce Graham, 1975; and Charles Luckman in 1976. In 1966 Louis Kahn was our distinguished speaker-an event marked by the fifth-year architecture students who erected an abstract "kiosk" arched over the pedestrian way on the Quad just South of the Union, in commemoration of his visit to the School. Other distinguished guests have included Illinois Medal in Architecture recipients Fred and William Keck (1981), Charles Luckman (1985), Max Abramovitz (1988), Temple Hoyne Buell (1989), as well as the Plym Distinguished Professor Joseph Esherick (1987).

Entertainment had always been a major part of the festivities-during the 1940s and 50s each class would organize a skit, to be performed at the Banquet, imitating their favorite instructors. At the end of the evening these were reciprocated with a faculty skit, perhaps emulating favorite students . . .? The talk of Spring 1971, though apparently not well received by the administrators, was the premier and only showing abroad of the "notorious foreign film" produced by Versailles students and faculty.

Architecture students have received their awards in several buildings on this campus. The English Building held many of the very early banquets, while the Illini Union Ballroom, YMCA Latzer Hall, and the U of I Ice Arena, have also been the site for the Awards Banquet. A "prairie" approach was taken in 1974 by holding the ceremony out on the "Southeast Forty"-the Stock Judging Pavilion. BBQ Chicken was served up by the Champaign Fire Department, and Dixieland Jazz music was provided by Medicare 7 8 or 9 led by Dan Perrino.

Events surrounding the Annual Architecture Awards Banquet have always been quite festive. In 1972, only a weekend was reserved for fun and merriment! But the highlight of the weekend's events was definitely the Kite Fly, sponsored by Scarab Fraternity on Sunday afternoon. The object was to design an architecturally sound kite which, of course, would fly. Naturally, the truly imaginative designers actually came as their kite. We can only wonder whether their ability to fly in costume was a prerequisite for the structures option?

The Gargoyle Society's Plein Air Luncheon started the week off in an effort to raise money to decrease the cost of student tickets to the Banquet. Held outside on the business quad, the luncheon helped the architecture school welcome in spring and have some fun. The faculty-student charrette, held during the luncheon, gave everyone a chance to display their uninhibited creativity while working together toward yet another deadline. The charrette produced a lot more laughs than architecture. The final event of the week then, as now, is the AIAS Beaux Arts Ball. Originating from an old school tradition, the Ball immediately follows the banquet, providing students, faculty, and guests with a casual contrast to the formal ceremony, and is a nice winding down of the week.

The use of A3 buttons as admission to the Annual Architecture Awards Banquet was begun in 1976. A competition is held for the design of the logo for the banquet button. This logo now serves as the coordinating design for the invitations, posters, and program cover. In 1992, the magic button(s) and their anthem: "United we stand, divided we fall!!" On banquet day each person wore only 1 of the 3 . . . (tectonic triptych) buttons, they then came together for the first time at the banquet, encouraging interactions, transactions . . . searching for a kinetic in our beloved button. Variations of a theme! In earlier years, the program cover was handpainted, as were lavish invitations which were sent out to guests.

The 1996 reception and ceremony was the first to be hosted within the School's new environment. The addition of Temple Hoyne Buell Hall provided the opportunity for an all-out collaborative celebration involving the UI Dance and Theater Departments and corporate sponsors. With two buildings to accommodate the A 3 activities in 1996, the dinner preceding the awards became a buffet served in the Architecture Building followed by the presentation of awards in the Plym Auditorium and entertainment in Buell Hall. This was continued from 1997 to 1999.

In 2000 A3 returned to the Illini Union Ballroom, with the addition of door prizes for students, faculty, and guests provided by School faculty and area businesses.

 

 

 

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