Spring Branch ISD Featured News

 

When she is in a creative groove, unexpected bursts of ideas come entirely out of the blue, resulting in unique and imaginative art pieces and architectural designs—full of exciting spaces where people can gather.

Zanli Morris, a senior at Memorial High School (MHS) in Spring Branch ISD (SBISD), pours herself into creating award-winning art and architectural designs. Her inspirations come from studying the work of other artists and tuning in to details, both large and small, in her environment.

“My best ideas come from simply observing the world around me because architecture is about researching what the community needs, and art is about illustrating things that people often fail to notice,” Morris said.

Morris is currently in the Advanced Placement 2D Drawing class at MHS under the tutelage of art teacher Elisa Barry. She is also in her third year of the Architectural Design program at the Guthrie Center, learning from teacher Fuad Loutfi.

Above and Beyond

Both teachers have inspired her to push the boundaries of her imagination. Morris is thankful for their constant encouragement, kindness, and even the way they challenge her beyond the ordinary.

“My favorite thing about art and architecture is the creative freedom I’m allowed,” Morris said. “There aren’t many other classes where I can work on projects without restraint and express the ideas that I value most.”

Her conceptual sketches, the cornerstone of her architectural designs, distinguish her as a standout in the Guthrie program. A prime example is her sketch of a housefly, which inspired the design of an innovative art center.

“Her creative angle is different from most, as she tends to think artistically while also trying to implement a logical and well-thought-out solution to that artistic origin of an idea,” Loutfi said.

He especially admires how Morris applies architectural concepts such as form, space, layouts, and cultural references, executing her work at a high level with an artistic flair.

“I feel like my ability to visualize things really well in my head and sketch them out in a short amount of time is where the skills I’ve learned from art cross over into my architecture work,” Morris said. “It’s particularly helpful when I’m doing space planning and observation sketches of other buildings.”

Validation of Excellence

While expressing her ideas through art and design brings Morris personal enjoyment, public recognition of her talents as an artist, designer, and person of character has come her way over the years. Her impressive list of awards and honors includes:

• 2022-23: Gold Medal, SBISD; Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo
• 2023-24: Special Merit, SBISD; Auction Qualifier, Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo; American Institute of Architects Michael G. Meyers (MGMC) scholarship competition recognition; nominee for the nationwide Association for Learning Environments contest; Congressional Top Ten Acts of Service
• 2024-25: Texas Society of Architects 2024 Student Design Challenge People’s Choice Award for Sashimono Bridge; Houston Rodeo School Art Contest Special Merit for Valiance; additional recognitions pending this semester

She is currently working on designs for the 2025 AIA Houston MGMC and Association for Learning Environments competitions, in addition to creating more extraordinary paintings for her 2D art class.

“She has a quiet fortitude that evokes respect and merit,” Barry said. “Zanli has been a joy in the classroom, and I have an immense amount of respect for her.”

A Leader, Too

Barry points out that not only has Morris been a standout artist, but she has also become an academic and group leader at MHS.

During her junior and senior years, she has served as president of the MHS Art Club. Twice a month, she provides studio sessions after school where club members can work on assignments, personal art projects, prepare for competitions, and connect with other artists.

This year, she is also the treasurer for the MHS chapter of the National Art Honor Society. At Guthrie, she serves as vice president of the Organization of Student Architects.

“The most satisfying part of the MHS Art Club is being able to help out my underclassmen because when I was in their position, I struggled with balancing my art with my extracurriculars and academics,” Morris said. “It gives me joy to see younger club members being able to do art after school.”

As she finishes out her senior year in SBISD, Morris recognizes that participation in the district’s art and architectural programming has helped her develop all of the Core Characteristics of a T-2-4 Graduate, traits identified by the district as essential for success.

“Both programs excelled at giving me the opportunity to prepare myself for the future by offering a lot of experiences related to the field of architecture and art,” Morris said.

Unique Ingredients for an Architectural Career

Her artistic blend of talents has inspired Morris to pursue a career in architecture. She plans to earn her bachelor’s degree in architecture at a university accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board. She also intends to continue painting outside of school, with hopes of selling a few pieces along the way.

“My hope is that I have inspired and motivated Zanli to think differently about not just architecture but life,” Loutfi said. “To be resourceful and look for ways to find solutions to problems she encounters—and to help people with those solutions.”

No doubt, the spaces Zanli designs in the future will be beautiful and inspiring places to be.

#SBISDProud