SOUTHFIELD, Mich.—Architecture and design students in Lawrence Technological University’s College of Architecture and Design won an Honorable Mention in UNESCO’s 2025 Street Design Challenge, the only U.S.-based university to receive this award.
The Street Design Challenge is a two-day competition for university students to share their vision on how public space design can improve the quality of life in our communities. It aims to address how rapidly advancing technologies like generative AI, mobile devices, vehicle electrification, robotics, and biosensors can enable communities to create hyperlocal solutions that directly improve their well-being.
LTU’s team received the award for the Community-Driven Adaptability and Evolution category in the 2025 Street Design Challenge. Out of 25 participating universities across eight countries, LTU was one of four recognized with an Honorable Mention.
Led by Irsida Bejo, Master of Architecture Instructor of Architecture, and supported by Anirban Adhya, PhD, Associate Professor of Architecture and Urban Design, the winning team included graduate students Logan Caruso, BS Architecture ’25, Carter Moberg, BS Architecture ’25, and Zahraa Sleymann, BS Architecture ’25, architecture seniors Jumana Abdullah and Rafaela Tedesco, and sophomore graphic design student Lauren Yang.
An award celebration was held on Nov. 17; the team’s winning designs will be on display at LTU’s signature CoAD public exhibition on May 7 and 8, ShowLTU CoAD 2026.
“The creativity, sustainability, and practicality of the LTU team reflect all that our college teaches architecture and design students about the focus and future of our professions,” said Lilian Crum, CoAD’s Interim Dean. “On behalf of the college, I congratulate our students and Dr. Adhya and Instructor Bejo for their leadership, who brought home the distinction of being the only U.S. university to win such a prestigious award.”
Lawrence Technological University, www.ltu.edu, is one of only 13 independent, technological, comprehensive doctoral universities in the United States. Located in Southfield, Mich., LTU was founded in 1932, and offers more than 100 programs through its Colleges of Architecture and Design, Arts and Sciences, Business and Information Technology, Engineering, and Health Sciences, as well as Specs@LTU, which offers communication training programs of the former Specs Howard School, and LTU’s growing Center for Professional Development. PayScale lists Lawrence Tech among the nation’s top 11 percent of universities for alumni salaries. Forbes and The Wall Street Journal rank LTU among the nation’s top 10 percent. U.S. News and World Report lists it in the top tier of best in the Midwest colleges. Students benefit from small class sizes and a real-world, hands-on, “theory and practice” education with an emphasis on leadership. Activities on Lawrence Tech’s 107-acre campus include more than 60 student organizations and NAIA varsity sports.
Use Your Cell Phone as a Document Camera in Zoom
From Computer
Log in and start your Zoom session with participants
From Phone
To use your cell phone as a makeshift document camera