Design students see Modern sites in Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex

Students in sophomore design studios at Texas A&M traveled to the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex Sept. 29 and 30 to view some of Texas’ finest examples of Modern architecture and tour one of the state’s top design firms.

Led by Mark Clayton, professor of architecture, and Gabriela Campagnol, assistant professor of architecture, students also visited the Japanese Gardens at the [Fort Worth Botanical Gardens] (http://fwbg.org/) and visited one of the area’s top homebuilders.

“Students saw great works of modern architecture and a replica of a Japanese garden that inspired Modernists with its simplicity, elegance, and attention to detail," said Clayton.

In Fort Worth, students visited

• the Fort Worth Water Gardens , designed by Phillip Johnson;
• the Marty Leonard Community Chapel , designed by Fay Jones,
• the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth , designed by Tadao Ando and
• the Kimbell Art Museum , designed by Louis Kahn.

In Dallas, students stayed at the historic [Adolphus hotel] (http://www.dallasarchitecture.info/adolphus.htm) and toured the [Performing Arts Center] (http://www.time.com/time/arts/article/0,8599,1931386,00.html) , the [Winspear Opera House] (http://www.fosterandpartners.com/Projects/1173/Default.aspx) , designed by Foster and Partners, and the [Wyly Theater] (http://www.rex-ny.com/work/wyly-theatre/#) , designed by REX/OMA with Rem Koolhaas.

Ehsan Barekati, a Ph.D. architecture student, gave the students a tour of HKS Inc., an internationally known firm headquartered in Dallas.

“Students were especially appreciative of the chance to see a leading architecture firm from the inside,” said Clayton. Barekati also arranged for the sophomores to meet recent grads now employed at HKS."