Boston, MA The Rotch Travelling Scholarship competition jury named the 2017 Rotch Scholar on March 17, at BSA Space. Managed by the Boston Society of Architects/AIA (BSA), this annual two-stage design competition results in one person travelling the world for at least six months studying architecture. With more than 110 entrants, this year’s five finalists emerged after the rigorous first stage of competition. Each finalist then presented to a group of distinguished jurors in Boston, including Josh Simoneau AIA, urban designer, Utile, Inc.; David Fixler FAIA, principal, EYP Inc.; Andrea Leers FAIA, principal, Leers Weinzapfel Associates; Rami el Smahy, principal, over,under; and Peter Wiederspahn, graduate programs coordinator of the Northeastern University School of Architecture and secretary of the Rotch Travelling Scholarship Committee.

The 2017 Rotch Travelling Scholarship winner is Jennifer Ly, recognized for her project New Common. Ly will receive $38,500 to fund at least six months of travel in the coming year. Ly graduated with a master’s in architecture from the Harvard University Graduate School of Design in 2014 and currently lives in Silicon Valley, California, working for Foster + Partners.

The 2017 runner-up is Austin Ward AIA for his her project Reflecting the past. He receives an automatic pass into next year’s final competition.