Skip Navigation

OU Alumnus and Student Selected as Million Dollar Pool Challenge Winner and Finalist

Headshots of Anuhya Konda and Alex Tyler.

OU Alumnus and Student Selected as Million Dollar Pool Challenge Winner and Finalist


Date

December 20, 2019

Tags


Gibbs College of Architecture student Anuhya Konda and 2013 Landscape Architecture alumnus Alex Tyler have been selected as finalists of the Million Dollar Pool Challenge! Konda, a graduate student studying Landscape Architecture, was the only student finalist, while Tyler was selected as the first place winner of the competition! Tyler was the runner up in last year’s competition.

Nighttime rendering of Tyler's pool and House design, lots of hanging garden lights over the decks and pools.

Tyler's Design Entry
(Watch full rendering animation)

The Million Dollar Pool Challenge, held at the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in November, was part of the International Pool and Spa Expo and included more than 150 entrants from leading pool and design companies. The Challenge focuses on testing one’s capability to think outside the box while designing a space.

As part of the Challenge, participants are given a scenario and requirements to base their designs on. This year’s scenario was a site located near Lake Tahoe.

“After careful analysis of the site and given requirements, I started zoning different spaces and made sections for better understanding,” said Konda.

Konda included many different features for her design, including natural elements to help relaxation, an outdoor kitchen with views, play areas for kids and pets, a spa, a bunk house for kids, and more.

Konda included many different features for her design, including natural elements to help relaxation, an outdoor kitchen with views, play areas for kids and pets, a spa, a bunk house for kids, and more.

Daytime rendering of Konda's pool and house design set in a mountain valley.

Konda's Design Entry

Konda said she relied on elements of nature as inspiration for her design. “My focus was on fulfilling the requirements for the customer along with giving them the best spaces,” said Konda.

Konda used modeling software to develop the spaces before creating the conceptual images. Overall, she submitted her plan, narrative, rendered images, perspective, and a video showcasing the site and its surroundings.

 

Congratulations and well done, Anuhya and Alex!


Recent Gibbs College News

November 02, 2026

Gibbs Ph.D. Student Promoted to Lieutenant Colonel in U.S. Army Reserve

Christopher C. Gibbs College of Architecture is proud to announce the promotion of Ph.D. student Rafael Hernandez to lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Army Reserve.


October 30, 2026

PLAD Faculty Member Publishes Chapter in Handbook of the Geographies of Race

Gibbs College of Architecture Assistant Professor Dr. Ladan Mozaffarian, in the Division of Planning, Landscape Architecture and Design, has co-authored a new book chapter with Josh Newton and Andrew Born, published in De Gruyter Handbook of the Geographies of Race.


October 27, 2026

Alumni Spotlight Interview, MRCPL: Trey Ingram, AICP

Planning, Landscape Architecture, and Design (PLAD) alumni Trey Ingram, AICP recently spoke with current PLAD student and graduate media assistant Molly Strobel to share his experiences with the Regional and City Planning program and current work with the Toyota Mobility Foundation.