How Students Discover Architecture: A Conversation with Toledo Voices
Architecture Week 2026 may have wrapped up, but the conversations it sparked are still gaining momentum. A new podcast series, Architecture for Kids & the American Institute of Architects, launched to share stories that trace real pathways into architecture, and it features two voices from right here in AIA Toledo.
The episode features Mike Rowe, AIA, architect, longtime volunteer and advisor for AIA Toledo’s High School Design Competition (HSDC), alongside 2025 HSDC student finalist, Ilya Prytup. Together, they offer a look at how young people are discovering architecture, and how our members are helping shape that journey.
Rowe shares lessons from the program that is built on real clients, real sites, and weekly advisor check-ins. His perspective underscores what makes the HSDC so enduring: it’s not just a competition, but a pathway into architecture.
Ilya Prytup, now an Architectural Engineering student at the University of Cincinnati, brings the student experience to life. He describes what it feels like to step into design for the first time, learning digital tools, finding confidence, and discovering a community that helped him clarify a future in architectural engineering.
Their conversation is a reminder that the work of inspiring the next generation doesn’t end with the HSDC or Architecture Week. It continues in classrooms, studios, competitions, and every moment our members choose to mentor, encourage, and support young designers.
ABOUT THE PODCAST
This special edition of the Architecture for Kids podcast was created in collaboration with the American Institute of Architects to celebrate Architecture Week 2026. Hosted by Antonio Capelao, trained as an architect, architectural educator, and Founding Director of the award‑winning Architecture for Kids CIC, the podcast series explores how young people are engaging with architecture today.