Thomas Jefferson University is proud to announce that two graduates of the College of Architecture & the Built Environment (CABE) have been recognized in the prestigious Stewardson Design Competition, a statewide contest which challenges emerging architects to propose bold design solutions for pressing social issues.
This year’s competition, Finding Philadelphia’s Missing Middle Housing, awarded five Winning Projects and two Honorable Mentions, representing students and alumni from Jefferson as well as Drexel University, the University of Pennsylvania, Syracuse University, the University of Michigan, and UT Austin.
Jefferson graduates Drake Schaefer and Wyatt Korb earned top recognition for their project, Residential Cooperative Mixed-Use (RCX), which envisions innovative and equitable approaches to housing in Philadelphia. Both completed their Bachelor of Architecture degrees at Jefferson, and Schaefer is now continuing his education within the MS in Interior Architecture program. Their work highlights the power of design to address social needs while advancing architectural excellence.
“The College of Architecture and the Built Environment is extremely proud of Drake and Wyatt for this achievement,” said David Breiner, PhD, Associate Dean and Associate Professor. “We now have seven students and alumni who have won this prestigious prize since 2014, a testament to their excellent work and to a program that prepares young architects for the challenges of the profession.”
Since its founding, the Stewardson Design Competition has recognized future leaders in the field, and Jefferson’s continued success underscores the university’s commitment to design innovation, equity, and community impact.
View the full list of winners.
Schaefer & Korb's Designs
Their proposed new zoning classification, Residential Cooperative Mixed-use, or RCX, frees housing from conventional zoning limits. By moving beyond the rigid street-address paradigm—which has long constrained how we use land—RCX introduces a time-based bonus system that grants communities greater land-use rights the longer they maintain their Lot Link Agreement, fostering efficiency, humanity, and neighbor longevity.
