Gibbs College of Architecture student Anuhya Konda and 2013 Landscape Architecture alumnus Alex Tyler have been selected as finalists of the Million Dollar Pool Challenge! Konda, a graduate student studying Landscape Architecture, was the only student finalist, while Tyler was selected as the first place winner of the competition! Tyler was the runner up in last year’s competition.
Tyler's Design Entry
(Watch full rendering animation)
The Million Dollar Pool Challenge, held at the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in November, was part of the International Pool and Spa Expo and included more than 150 entrants from leading pool and design companies. The Challenge focuses on testing one’s capability to think outside the box while designing a space.
As part of the Challenge, participants are given a scenario and requirements to base their designs on. This year’s scenario was a site located near Lake Tahoe.
“After careful analysis of the site and given requirements, I started zoning different spaces and made sections for better understanding,” said Konda.
Konda included many different features for her design, including natural elements to help relaxation, an outdoor kitchen with views, play areas for kids and pets, a spa, a bunk house for kids, and more.
Konda included many different features for her design, including natural elements to help relaxation, an outdoor kitchen with views, play areas for kids and pets, a spa, a bunk house for kids, and more.
Konda's Design Entry
Konda said she relied on elements of nature as inspiration for her design. “My focus was on fulfilling the requirements for the customer along with giving them the best spaces,” said Konda.
Konda used modeling software to develop the spaces before creating the conceptual images. Overall, she submitted her plan, narrative, rendered images, perspective, and a video showcasing the site and its surroundings.
Congratulations and well done, Anuhya and Alex!
The Gibbs Design in Action Awards (GDAA) program, led by Dr. Wanda Liebermann, has announced its 2026–2027 funded student projects. The initiative supports design and research work that addresses social, cultural, and economic issues in the built environment through collaboration with faculty and community partners.
The OU Institute for Quality Communities (IQC) 2024 collaboration with the Historic Threatt Filling Station has been recognized in the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City's newly released Byways Report: The Scenic Route to Rural Prosperity – a story-driven publication exploring how road trip culture and place-based tourism can fuel economic growth in rural communities.
The Gibbs College of Architecture is pleased to announce that Camille Germany, Chief of Staff, has been named the 2026 recipient of the university-wide Jennifer L. Wise Good Stewardship Award.
