Meet Makenzie Cincotta and 2026 Senior Exhibition Project Point Park

This is one in a series of online interviews with MIAD seniors, who share their thoughts about their 2026 Senior Exhibition project and their MIAD education.

Makenzie Cincotta ’26 (Interior Architecture and Design) is a Dean’s List student from Milwaukee and a recipient of a 2026 Alumni Thesis Award.

What is your “elevator pitch” for your senior exhibition project?

Point Park serves as a visual and physical connection between the public attractions on the lakefront and the commercial amenities elevated above, creating an accessible transition that’s experiential and effective.

Makenzie Cincotta, Mezzanine (detail), 2026.

Anything you’d like to share about yourself or MIAD?

My path to architecture has been shaped by searching for the balance between creativity and technical problem-solving. I began studying civil engineering before realizing that the work I was most drawn to existed at the intersection of art, design and the built environment.

After earning degrees in Architectural Drafting/Construction Technology and Interior Design at WCTC, I came to MIAD to further develop that balance through architectural thinking and spatial storytelling. As I graduate, I’m excited to bring this interdisciplinary perspective into practice and hope to join a forward-thinking architecture firm where I can contribute to projects that prioritize equitable design, public space and meaningful connections between people and place.

Visit Makenzie’s website. 

Read more about the 2026 MIAD Senior Exhibition, on view April 17 – May 9.

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