Hanna Anderson has dreamed of becoming an architect since she was a ninth grader growing up in Sweden. Her innovative design for a community center, developed in her architecture class at Palomar College, recently was honored by a national organization of architects.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Anderson, 22, was the only community college student selected for a Student Design Award by the Society of American Registered Architects, a professional organization of architects and industry partners. She received the award May 2 at the organization\u2019s conference in Los Angeles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Anderson\u2019s design, called Golden Rhythm Hall, envisions a community center where people can create music, hang out at a caf\u00e9, or study. The project is inspired by the golden ratio, with proportions that are aesthetically pleasing and provide excellent acoustics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Joseph Lucido, department chair of the Design and Manufacturing Tech \u2013 Architecture program, said he was thrilled that Anderson was honored for her project.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThis beautifully conceived design draws inspiration from the golden ratio, translating timeless proportional principles into a compelling architectural experience,\u201d he said. \u201cHanna\u2019s ability to merge mathematical harmony with spatial performance results in a design that is both elegant and deeply experiential.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Anderson was living with her family in a Swedish town west of Stockholm when she visited her older brother\u2019s engineering high school. In Sweden, students are expected to choose their majors by ninth grade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She said her brother\u2019s school had a program called environmental design that featured models of houses. Anderson said she liked being able to combine her artistic interests with the science of designing a building and enrolled in the high school to pursue architecture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When she graduated from high school in 2023, she decided to come to the United States for college. Her mother had previously worked as an au pair with a family in Escondido, so she decided to move there and enroll at Palomar College.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI randomly chose Palomar College and it was a great fit,\u201d Anderson said. \u201cIt has one of the best architecture programs I could have chosen.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For a class assignment, students were asked to create a community building, such as a center, library or sports center. Anderson said the sloping shape of her design of her center was inspired by the Oslo Opera House. In her city, a community center provided a place where students could practice music or play in a band.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt was a very good addition to the community and our culture,\u201d she said. \u201cI wanted to do something like that.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The award has cemented Anderson\u2019s plans to pursue Palomar College\u2019s bachelor’s degree in building performance and environmental design after she earns her associate degree in architecture next spring.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She\u2019s looking forward to a career in architecture where she can create more innovative building designs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWith architecture, I like that you can actually change a community or an individual\u2019s life,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"