Signature Event Showcases Exploration, Creativity, and Grit

Lawrence Technological University’s College of Architecture and Design’s (CoAD) fourth annual end-of-year exhibition featured not only exquisite design and creative solutions but also celebrated perseverance, innovation, and exploration.

“Given the current climate of division and turmoil – the challenge is to understand how we can use our abilities as architects to serve the world.”
-Billie Tsien, Guest Lecturer

ShowLTU CoAD 2025 opened Thursday, May 8, with the student award ceremony and a guest lecture from renowned architect Billie Tsien of New York’s Tod Williams Billie Tsien Architects | Partners. Architecture and design students, industry leaders, and the public heard “What Matters,” the topic of Tsien’s talk. The exhibition, which was open to the public, ran through Saturday, May 10.

Tsien said, “Given the current climate of division and turmoil—the challenge is to understand how we can use our abilities as architects to serve the world. This lecture looked at processes and projects that aspired to bring people together. My lecture discussed ways of working that help to align work with belief. I spoke about how I work with hope and optimism. I hope participants walked away with a desire to collaborate and leave a positive mark on the earth.”

Tsien’s work and the firm’s focus aim to reflect the values of educational, non-profit, and cultural institutions. Tsien holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Yale University and a Master of Architecture degree from the University of California, Los Angeles. She is chair of the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts; a fellow of the American Academy in Rome; and an inductee of the American Academy of Arts and Letters, the National Academy of Design, the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and the American Philosophical Society. She is a registered architect in 10 U.S. states, including Michigan.

Tsien has frequently led architecture classes at her alma mater and colleges and universities across the country.

The exhibition, which attracted the largest audience of its four years with nearly 400 in attendance, included more than 250 original works created by graduating students, select undergraduate projects, and a digital showcase of works by architecture and design alumni of CoAD. Exhibitors were on hand to explain their concepts and the technology used to accomplish their work.

“The energy and ambition of the students truly made this event special,” said Lilian Crum, associate dean of CoAD. “It was not only a celebration of their academic journey but also a meaningful bridge between education and industry.”