Deller Prize in Sustainable Architecture and Real Estate

Carnegie Mellon Architecture will announce the call for applications for the next award cycle in the spring of 2025.

The Deller Prize in Sustainable Architecture and Real Estate has been established by the Deller family of Quito, Ecuador, in recognition of the depth and breadth of education that Adriel Deller (B.Arch ’13) received at Carnegie Mellon Architecture. 

While a student, Adriel learned the importance of integrated design to achieve aesthetic quality, environmental effectiveness and economic equity. The Deller Family created this award to encourage architecture students to pursue non-traditional career paths, specifically to grow their skills in the specialty of design, construction and sustainability under the umbrella of the real estate business. The award is intended to demonstrate and cultivate through the disciplines of architecture and business the significant positive impact that can be made on environmental sustainability, the design process and the community.

The awarded student will receive a non-qualified scholarship to support projects, materials or other non-tuition expenses to enhance their educational experience, and the opportunity for a paid internship with the Deller Companies in Quito, Ecuador, during the summer between their fourth and fifth years.

Students who have been notified that they are eligible to apply (see Eligibility below) must submit a complete application that includes the following information:

• A 400 word essay commenting on their approach to integrating principles of sustainability, design and real estate in their work
• A reduced size portfolio (<10 MB) of their most relevant studio project

The jury reviews the applications and makes the selection based on the degree to which the applicant has integrated the knowledge gained in their coursework in the studio project they have chosen to submit. 

Spring 2025 Jury: Dana Cupkova (Chair), Vicky Achnani, Yiqun Pan, Louis Suarez

Spring 2025 Award Amount: $3,000 (first place) and $1,500 (runner-up) each (multiple awards available up to $4,500 per year)

B.Arch students in their fourth year will be invited directly to apply. Eligibility is based on good academic standing and grades for:

• 48-315 - Enviro I: Climate and Energy
• 48-432 - Enviro II: Advanced Building Systems Integration & Mechanical Systems
• 48-300 - Environment: Form and Feedback
• 48-305 - Advanced Construction Studio
• 48-400 - Advanced Synthesis Options Studio
• 48-380 - Real Estate Design & Development

Carnegie Mellon Architecture will announce the call for applications for the next award cycle in the spring of 2025.

• 2024: not awarded
• 2023: Gabrielle Benson (B.Arch ’24) & Anishwar Tirupathur (B.Arch ’24)
• 2022: Ankitha Vasudev (B.Arch ’23)
• 2021: Yingying Yan (B.Arch ’22)  
• 2020: Cassandra Howard (B.Arch ’21)
• 2019: Alex Lin (B.Arch ’20)
• 2018: Gargi Lagvankar (B.Arch ’19)