The Rice School of Architecture is thrilled to announce that Ultrabarrio, the cutting-edge practice coled by visiting critic Amna Ansari, has been honored with three awards in the prestigious Architect’s Newspaper Best of Design Awards 2024. These accolades celebrate the firm’s exceptional contributions to design innovation and urban resilience.
Ultrabarrio’s project “The Line Is the Medium” was awarded the Editor’s Pick in the Unbuilt—Landscape, Master Plan & Urban Design category and also an Honorable Mention in the Emerging Architects Project Award category. This visionary project reimagines transit station connectivity by integrating trails, waterways, and neighborhoods, forging links between ecological systems and urban life.
Ultrabarrio’s “Do Buses Dream of Urban Life” was also recognized with the Best of Design Award in the Unbuilt—Landscape, Master Plan & Urban Design category. This project further underscores the firm’s commitment to designing for the complexities of contemporary urban environments.
Dean Igor Marjanović praised the firm’s achievements, noting, “Ultrabarrio, under the leadership of Amna Ansari, exemplifies the innovative spirit of architectural practice that seeks to redefine the relationship between cities and their inhabitants. These awards are a testament to their dedication to creating meaningful connections and building community through design.”
We are honored to celebrate Ansari’s contributions to both the Rice School of Architecture and the broader design profession.