UTA CAPPA Students Envision the Future of Dallas

The Architecture and Design Foundation is excited to announce two upcoming events hosted at the AD EX this spring, in collaboration with UTA CAPPA and Dallas Architecture Forum.

The first program on Monday, April 27 features a visionary masterplan created by architecture students to transform downtown Dallas into a walkable urban environment while preserving the iconic City Hall. The second on Saturday, May 2 showcases sustainable construction through a series of installations built using recycled and upcycled materials. Both exhibitions highlight the work of students from the University of Texas at Arlington, emphasizing innovative approaches to urban planning and environmental responsibility. These presentations invite us to explore how circular design and modernized infrastructure can shape the future of the city.

15-Minute City: UTA CAPPA Student’s Masterplan for Dallas City Hall and Downtown

• Monday, April 27, 2026, from 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm
• AD EX, 325 N. St. Paul Street, Suite 150, Dallas, TX
• Presented in partnership with UTA and Dallas Architecture Forum
• This presentation features a visionary masterplan for Downtown Dallas that balances growth with the preservation of I.M. Pei’s City Hall
• The proposal introduces three connected districts: Entertainment, Civic & Cultural, and Residential & Education, aimed at creating a vibrant, walkable urban core
• REGISTER HERE

Circular Design-Build Student Showcase

• Saturday, May 2, 2026, from 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm
• AD EX, 325 N. St. Paul Street, Suite 150, Dallas, TX
• In partnership with UTA and support from the EPA
• This showcase features UTA CAPPA students and high school participants’ exploration of circular economy principles through small-scale structures and installations created from reclaimed and upcycled materials, highlighting sustainable and low-impact design strategies
• REGISTER HERE

These events, along with their associated exhibitions at the AD EX, challenge us to imagine a city that has outgrown its dependency on the automobile and its tolerance for material waste. As Dallas continues its rapid expansion, these plans provide a tangible roadmap for a more connected, sustainable, and soulful urban core.