Showcase 2026 | Texas A&M College of Architecture
The event features keynote speaker Arch "Beaver" Aplin III in a conversation moderated by Texas A&M President Susan Ballabina.
About the Showcase
The Texas A&M College of Architecture Showcase is a celebration of the people, projects, and partnerships that define our college’s impact. Join us for a day of engaging exhibits, inspiring conversations, and meaningful connections.
A centerpiece of this year’s event will be the Aplin Center, a transformational investment in the future of design, planning, construction, and technology education on Texas A&M’s campus. From concept to reality, explore how this landmark initiative is creating new opportunities for collaboration, innovation, and student success by attending the Aplin Center Session or visiting the Aplin Center Gallery on the main Rudder Auditorium stage.
We will have engagements throughout the day over the following:
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Cutting-edge research presentations
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Interactive displays and hands-on demonstrations
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Specialized industry sessions on interior design, prefabrication, and urban planning around redevelopment and data centers
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Artwork and models by students and faculty
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Walking tours of significant buildings and places on campus
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Information on degree programs and graduate offerings in the College
The Showcase offers an opportunity to experience firsthand how the College of Architecture is shaping the future of the built environment in Texas and beyond. Come celebrate achievement, explore emerging ideas and connect with the leaders who are planning, designing and building a better future.
Date: Tuesday, November 3
Location: Rudder Complex
A group of four students connecting at Showcase 2025.
Keynote and 150th Sesquicentennial Speaker
Arch “Beaver” Aplin, III, Founder and President of Texas-based Buc-ee’s stores, earned a Bachelor of Construction Science at Texas A&M University in 1980. In the summer of 1982, he opened his first Buc-ee’s in Lake Jackson, Texas. Over the last 40 years, he has built a chain of destination travel centers dedicated to providing an elevated experience for the driving public through service and selection.
Passionate about community involvement, Aplin has a long history of being active at the local and state levels. He served as Chairman of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission, a board member of The Association of Former Students at Texas A&M, a member of the Lieutenant Governor’s Transportation Advisory Board, and a member of the Governor-appointed ERCOT Board Selection Committee. Beaver was recently named a 2025 Distinguished Alumni of Texas A&M.
He received the M.B. Zale Visionary Merchant Award, the 2012 Outstanding Alumni Award from the Texas A&M University School of Architecture, the 2022 McLane Leadership Business Award, the 2023 Friend of Wildlife Award, inducted into the Texas Business Hall of Fame in 2024, honored as the History Maker of the Decade for Texas Business by the Texas State Historical Association and most recently was awarded Most Admired CEO by the Houston Business Journal.
Previously, he was a 9-year board member of the Brazosport Independent School District, including a two-year tenure as board president.
Aplin and his wife, Joanie, reside in Texas and have five children.
Buc-ee’s Founder and CEO
Schedule
9:00 a.m. Registration and Ongoing Activities Rudder Exhibit Hall | Rudder Plaza
Registration
Details: Get signed in for the event and ask questions about the event.
Time: 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Location: Rudder Exhibit Hall
Demonstration Booths
Time: 9:30 am – 5:15 pm
Location: Rudder Exhibit Hall
Information Tables
Time: 9:30 a.m. – 5:15 p.m.
Location: Rudder Exhibit Hall
Demonstration Area
Time: 9:30 a.m. to 5:15 p.m.
Location: Rudder Plaza
9:30 a.m. Rudder Exhibit Hall | Rudder Theater | Rudder Forum | Rudder Tower Room 501 | Rudder Tower Room 504
Faculty Interdisciplinary Presentation – Emerging Ideas for Community-led Hazard Adaptation
Moderator: Galen Newman
Time: 9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
Location: Rudder Theatre
New Building Initiative Forum
Details: More information to follow.
Time: 9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
Location: Rudder Forum
What’s New & Exciting in City Planning for Bryan-College Station: Experiences in Density, Development, & Data-Centers
Details: It is an exciting time to be planning in Bryan and College Station! In this session we will hear from leaders in local urban planning efforts as they talk about their experiences shaping the heart of Aggieland. In this session, we will talk about the new high-rises in Northgate, efforts to revitalize the area around Post Oak Mall and Downtown Bryan, as well as the latest planning efforts, developments, and controversies from both cities.
Moderator: Justin Golbabai
- Joey Dunn
- Martin Zimmermann
- Heather Wade
- Anthony Armstrong
Time: 9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
Location: Rudder Tower Room 501
Oral Research Presentations – AI and Emerging Technologies
Details: This session explores how artificial intelligence, immersive technologies, digital twins, and machine learning are transforming the design, planning, and management of the built environment, with applications ranging from AI-assisted interpretation of construction documents to healthy campus design, smart home environments for dementia care, generative approaches to architectural form, and reinforcement learning for highway construction productivity.
Time: 9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
Location: Rudder Tower Room 504
10:15 a.m. Rudder Exhibit Hall
Poster Session A
Time: 10:15 a.m. – 11:15 a.m.
Location: Rudder Exhibit Hall
11:00 a.m. Rudder Theatre | Rudder Forum | Rudder Tower Room 501 | Rudder Tower Room 504 | Rudder Tower Room 701
Faculty Interdisciplinary Presentation – AI and the Built Environment
Moderator: Zofia Rybkowski
Time: 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Location: Rudder Theatre
Beyond the Bachelor’s: Navigating Graduate Education in the Built Environment Workshop
Details: Interested in advancing your education and expanding your impact in the built environment? Join faculty, admissions representatives and current graduate students for a practical workshop covering the College of Architecture’s graduate programs, application process, portfolio preparation, funding opportunities and tips for crafting a competitive application. Whether you’re considering a master’s degree, research-focused study, or professional advancement, this session will help you take the next step with confidence.
Time: 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Location: Rudder Forum
Special Industry Presentation | Interior Design: Classic. Curated. Cool.
Details: Join Aggie alumnus Benjamin Johnston, published author and Founder of Benjamin Johnston Design, and Dr. Gregory Luhan, nationally recognized architect, scholar, author, and Texas A&M professor, for a thought-provoking conversation on interior design and the creative principles that shape exceptional spaces. Together, they will explore how inspiration, innovation, and human experience influence their design process and inform the environments where we live, work, and connect.
- Dr. Gregory Luhan
- Benjamin Johnston | Benjamin Johnston Design
Time: 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Location: Rudder Tower Room 501
Oral Research Presentations – Health and Safety
Details: In this session, the presentations examine how the built environment affects health, safety and well-being. They cover supportive and healthy environments, tree landscape architecture and asthma, neighborhood security and construction safety.
Time: 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Location: Rudder Tower Room 504
Plan-Design-Build Aggieland
Details: Join a distinguished group of leaders who have shaped the built environment of Aggieland. Gain firsthand knowledge of their insights on planning, designing, and building of our campus and its surroundings, and learn about their visions for Aggieland’s future.
Moderator: Matt Henley
- Tim Green
- Gary Hall
- Shelley Potter
- Michael Rey
- Les Stretch
- Bill Vaughn
Time: 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Location: Rudder Tower Room 701
12:00 p.m. Rudder Exhibit Hall
Poster Session B
Time: 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Location: Rudder Exhibit Hall
1:00 p.m. Rudder Theatre | Rudder Forum | Rudder Tower Room 504
Building the Future: The Aplin Center
Details: From plan-design-build, hear directly from the team behind the Aplin Center and gain an insider’s look at the collaboration, creativity, and expertise that shaped one of Texas A&M’s most transformative projects from those involved in its construction.
Moderator: Austin Fannin | Texas A&M University
- Robb Berg | Design Workshop
- Sam Lampe | Project Control
- Anthony Markese | Pickard Chilton Associates
- Emily Winter | DLR Group
Time: 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Location: Rudder Theater
TBD
Time: 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Location: Rudder Forum
Oral Research Presentations – Urban Development and Design
Details: In this session, presentations consider how cities can respond to changing mobility needs, integrate sustainable and resilient landscapes, enhance residents’ experiences of urban environments and improve construction production processes.
Time: 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Location: Rudder Tower Room 504
1:45 p.m. Rudder Exhibit Hall
Poster Session C
Time: 1:45 p.m. – 2:45 p.m.
Location: Rudder Exhibit Hall
2:00 p.m. Rudder Exhibit Hall
CoA Social (Gelato and Espresso)
Time: 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Location: Rudder Exhibit Hall
2:30 p.m. Rudder Theatre | Rudder Forum | Rudder Tower Room 501 | Rudder Tower Room 504 | Rudder Tower Room 701
Faculty Interdisciplinary Presentation – Preservation and Progress: Navigating Campus Growth
Moderator: Timothy Jachna
Time: 2:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Location: Rudder Theatre
TBD
Time: 2:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Location: Rudder Forum
Special Industry Presentation | Prefabrication in Design and Construction at the Ascension Seton Women’s Hospital
Detail: The Beck Group, HKS and Baker Triangke will be presenting on the prefabricated design and construction techniques used at the of the Ascension Seton Women’s Hospital in Austin, TX. This is an opportunity to hear from the integrated team of architects, general contractors and trade partners to understand on how we worked together to execute prefabrication on this project.
Time: 2:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Location: Rudder Tower Room 501
Oral Research Presentations – Community Resilience and Outreach
Details: This session explores infrastructure, housing recovery, climate adaptation, participatory design, and emergency preparedness, focusing on using local knowledge and community engagement to better prepare for and respond to future disruptions.
Time: 2:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Location: Rudder Tower Room 504
Plan-Design-Build Texas
Details: Former students from the College of Architecture have played significant roles in planning, designing and building a safe, healthy and prosperous Texas. Join a panel of industry leaders to learn about their journeys and their aspirations for the future of Texas.
- Aan Coleman
- Whitney Fuessel
- Stephen Lucy
- Nelson Mitchell
- Jeff Potter
- Katie Turnbull
Time: 2:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Location: Rudder Tower Room 701
3:15 p.m. Rudder Exhibit Hall
Poster Session D
Time: 3:15 p.m. – 4:15 p.m.
Location: Rudder Exhibit Hall
4:00 p.m. Keynote and 150th Sesquicentennial Speaker Rudder Theatre
Keynote Presentation and Closing Ceremony
Details: Moderated by Texas A&M University President Susan Ballabina, this special Keynote & Sesquicentennial Speaker Series conversation with Arch “Beaver” Aplin III ’80 will explore his entrepreneurial journey, his philosophy that every business is ultimately a hospitality business and the lessons he has learned while building a beloved brand from the ground up. Attendees will also hear his vision for hospitality, retail and experiential learning at Texas A&M, including the transformative Aplin Center currently taking shape on the university’s West Campus.
Time: 4:00 p.m. – 5:15 p.m.
Location: Rudder Theatre
Past Keynote Speakers
Stephan Fabel, Senior Director of NVIDIA’s DGX Cloud (2025)
During his presentation, Fabel explored the transformative power of accelerated computing and its role in reshaping the future of the built environment. He highlighted the use of AI and the expedited way it can reduce time for acquiring building permits.
The lecture provided insight on the methods NVIDIA uses when developing buildings for future data centers.
Stephan Fabel, senior director of NVIDIA’s DGX Cloud speaking at Showcase 2025.
Bradley R. Freels, Chairman of Midway (2024)
In his presentation, Freels argued that successful development transcends structural engineering and square footage, focusing instead on the social fabric created by gathering feedback from the community. He detailed how Midway’s projects prioritize the human experience, transforming traditional real estate into vibrant, mixed-use environments that foster community engagement.
Bradley Freels, Chairman of Midway, speaking at Showcase 2024.
Dr. Michael F. Goodchild, Professor Emeritus at the University of California, Santa Barbara (2024)
In his presentation, Goodchild explored the evolution of geographic data from static maps to dynamic digital twins, which are virtual representations of physical assets and systems. He examined how these high-fidelity models allow urban planners to simulate what-if scenarios, ranging from flood impacts to traffic flow, in a risk-free digital environment.
Dr. Michael F. Goodchild speaking at the 2024 Showcase.
Showcase Photo Galleries
View past moments from the Showcase via the College of Architecture’s Flickr albums.
Sponsorship Opportunities
Presenting Sponsor $50,000 (exclusive)
The Presenting Sponsor will receive the highest level of visibility and engagement throughout the College of Architecture Showcase and related activities:
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Exclusive “Presented By” recognition across all showcase marketing and event materials
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Premier logo placement on the event website, signage, digital displays and promotional communications
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Dedicated social media recognition campaign, including multiple sponsor spotlight posts
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Featured company profile on the showcase website
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Opportunity to provide company-branded materials and resources to attendees
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Exclusive opportunity to host a 60-minute educational presentation, workshop or industry engagement session in Rudder Tower
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Exclusive sponsorship of the Alumni and Student Luncheon, including:
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Opportunity to provide welcoming remarks
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Prominent recognition throughout the luncheon
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Two reserved luncheon seats
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Recognition during major event announcements and opening remarks
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First right of refusal for the following year’s presenting sponsorship
Partner Sponsor $10,000 (limited to two partner sponsors)
Partner sponsors receive meaningful brand visibility and engagement opportunities with students, alumni, faculty and industry professionals attending the showcase:
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Company recognition through a dedicated social media spotlight post
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Company listing with logo and website link on the showcase website
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Logo placement on the event sponsor banner and sponsor recognition materials
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Opportunity to distribute company materials and information at a designated resource table
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One reserved seat at the Alumni and Student Luncheon
Exclusive Add-ons Event T-Shirt Sponsor $9,000 (limited to one sponsor)
Gain highly visible brand recognition through the official event apparel worn by students, attendees, volunteers, and event staff.
- Exclusive company logo placement on the sleeve of all official Showcase T-shirts
- Recognition as the Official Showcase T-Shirt Sponsor on the Showcase website and sponsor signage
- Dedicated social media recognition post
- Recognition in event communications, where applicable
Exclusive Add-ons Espresso Sponsor $5,000 (limited to one sponsor)
- Exclusive logo placement on event-branded espresso service materials.
- Recognition as one of the Official Espresso & Gelato Social Sponsor on event signage and the Showcase website.
- Dedicated social media recognition post.
- Prominent visibility throughout the networking event.
Exclusive Add-ons Gelato Sponsor $3,000 (limited to one sponsor)
- Exclusive logo placement on event-branded gelato service materials.
- Recognition as one of the Official Espresso & Gelato Social Sponsor on event signage and the Showcase website.
- Dedicated social media recognition post.
- Prominent visibility throughout the networking event.
For more information contact Deanna Cowan at (979) 458-0400 or [email protected].
Recognition of Excellence
The Showcase culminates in an awards ceremony, recognizing outstanding projects across various categories. The “People’s Choice” award, voted on by attendees, generates excitement and friendly competition among the participants.
The Texas A&M College of Architecture Showcase successfully highlights the innovative spirit and commitment to excellence that defines its students. This event has previously been known as the Research Symposium. With each project, the next generation of architects, landscape architects, and urban planners is poised to make meaningful contributions to their communities and beyond. As they move forward, the stories shared at the Showcase will undoubtedly inspire future endeavors and collaborations.
Media contact: College of Architecture Marketing and Communications, [email protected]
Event contact: Steven Sisk, [email protected]