APLA Student Honored with ASLA Student Award of Excellence

Her winning entry was entitled “Restoring Elba’s Pea River Through Dam Revitalization.”

The Elba Dam is a small, now defunct hydroelectric dam and physical plant that was originally completed in 1913. The dam, which contributes to occasional local flooding and blocks fish and wildlife migration, is scheduled for future removal with federal funds provided the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Fish Passage Program.

Hoytink’s design proposes not only specifics about removal of the dam, but also revitalizing the site’s remaining historic structures such as the pumphouse and surrounding areas and preserving them as living reminders of the role they once played in powering local communities.

The project, according to Hoytink, seeks to transform the overgrown, inaccessible hydroelectric dam into an engaging, accessible space immersing viewers in a landscape reminiscent of past technological achievements, enhancing environmental protection and bolstering community resilience.

“Breathtaking,” said the ASLA Student Awards Jury in announcing their choice of Hoytink’s project as the top entry in the General Design category. “A creative project to honor history and turn site into a usable landscape with ecological function. A wonderful balance of the wild and the modern.”

“Winning an ASLA Student Award of Excellence for my project has been an incredible honor,” Hoytink said of the recognition. “As part of Auburn’s first Bachelor of Landscape Architecture class in more than 55 years, I’m proud to represent the program and bring attention to Elba.

“I couldn’t have asked for better professors, and this award reflects the support and exceptional education I’ve received during my time at Auburn.”