A Mississippi State University architecture major recently received recognition in his field from the Building technology Educators’ Society (BTES).
Senior Zachary R. Henry of Knoxville, Tennessee, was one of only two students who received awards at this year’s BTES national conference in Des Moines, Iowa. Henry received an award for best undergraduate paper, as well as free conference admission, a yearlong free BTES membership and a $500 travel scholarship.
Research for the paper, titled “Ecological Functionalism in the Work of Glenn Murcutt: A Case Study of the Fredricks-White House” was conducted under MSU Assistant Professor Emily McGlohn’s Audit Squad, a course for students exploring energy efficiency and the quality of construction.
Research for the paper involved traveling to Sydney, Australia, to meet with and interview Murcutt, an architect known for designing buildings that function as machines. The trip was supported by a $2,000 fellowship from Starkville architect Briar Jones and his wife Michelle. While in Australia, Henry also studied four of Murcutt's buildings.
After graduation, Henry plans to earn a masters degree in environmental design studies. Henry is also enrolled in the Shackouls Honors College.