This year four universities, University of Cincinnati, Kansas State University, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, and The Pennsylvania State University, competed in the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) Architectural Engineering Institute (AEI) International Student Design Competition (ISDC) on April 9. University of Nebraska-Lincoln earned first place honors in the Building Integration Systems and Mechanical Systems categories. The Pennsylvania State University won first place honors in the Construction, Electrical Systems, and Structural Systems categories. Additionally, University of Nebraska-Lincoln won two awards for Outstanding Achievement in Innovation, while The Pennsylvania State University won one award for Outstanding Achievement in Innovation.
Although the awards ceremony is typically held in-person, AEI made the decision to hold this year’s competition and awards ceremony virtually due to CDC pandemic guidelines to avoid large gatherings, following the same format used in 2020.
Each year, the AEI International Student Design Competition attracts the top architectural engineering undergraduate and graduate students from leading academic institutions that offer accredited architectural engineering degrees. The goal of the annual competition is to provide a unique venue for students to showcase their architectural engineering knowledge and skills. The competition encourages collaboration, research, innovation and peer review.
“The passion, ingenuity, and resilience of architectural engineering students was once again on display in the 2021 AEI International Student Design Competition (AEI ISDC),” said Jonathan U. Dougherty, PhD, chair, AEI International Student Design Competition. “The Architectural Engineering Institute is excited to see the future of the Architectural Engineering industry rise to the challenges presented by the competition and exceed expectations, and we look forward to watching these students apply both the technical lessons and professional aptitudes learned throughout this competition in their professional endeavors.”
Projects are judged in building integration, and in one or more of the following four categories: structural systems, mechanical systems, electrical systems and construction. Sponsors provide the funding for the annual competition, which features First and Second Place named awards in each of the five categories.
- Building Integration
1st Place (Sponsored by SmithGroup): University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Team #5
2nd Place (Sponsored by Simpson Gumpertz & Heger): Kansas State University, Team #6 - Construction
1st Place (Sponsored by Barton Malow): The Pennsylvania State University, Team #3
2nd Place (Sponsored by DAVIS Construction): Kansas State University, Team #6 - Electrical Systems
1st Place (Sponsored by Affiliated Engineers, Inc.): The Pennsylvania State University, Team #3
2nd Place (Sponsored by HGA): Kansas State University, Team #6 - Mechanical Systems
1st Place (Sponsored by HDR): University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Team #5
2nd Place (Sponsored by WSP USA): The Pennsylvania State University, Team #3 - Structural Systems
1st Place (Sponsored by AEI ISDC Committee): The Pennsylvania State University, Team #3
2nd Place (Sponsored by Skidmore, Ownings & Merrill, LLP): Kansas State University, Team #6
Special Awards
- Outstanding Achievement in Innovation – Building Performance Enhancement
Winner: University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Team #5 - Outstanding Achievement in Innovation – Pandemic Resiliency
Winner: The Pennsylvania State University, Team #3 - Outstanding Achievement in Innovation – Water Retention, Harvesting, & Re-Utilization
Winner: University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Team #5
Members of the Winning Teams
Team 3: The Pennsylvania State University
- John Sloane (Integration, Electrical)
- Samantha Komber (Integration, Electrical)
- Luke Sorber (Integration, Electrical)
- Alexandra Brown (Integration, Mechanical)
- Sydney McClellan (Integration, Mechanical)
- Christopher Mikec (Integration, Construction)
- Michael Haftl (Integration, Construction)
- Alyx Oakley (Integration, Construction)
- Blaise Waligun (Integration, Structural)
- Andrew Kirsch (Integration, Structural)
Team 5: University of Nebraska-Lincoln
- Gage Gibney (Integration, Electrical)
- Mitchael Sieh (Integration, Mechanical)
- Ashley Everitt (Integration, Mechanical)
- Jennifer Mack (Integration, Mechanical)
- Matthew Huntwork (Integration, Electrical)
- Andrew Martinez (Integration, Electrical)
- Aaron Adams (Integration, Electrical)
- Allie Huffman (Integration, Electrical)
- James Andrus (Integration, Structural)
- Raiyan Al Hashmi (Integration, Structural)
Team 6: Kansas State University
- Kaitlan Muzingo (Integration, Electrical)
- Melanie Hiraki (Integration, Electrical)
- Kyle Tollefson (Integration, Electrical)
- Bjorn Jonsson (Integration, Mechanical)
- Calvin Koch (Integration, Mechanical)
- Dawson Bailey (Integration, Structural)
- Brandon Cook (Integration, Structural)
- Chelsea Lewis (Integration, Structural)
- Alec Coast (Integration, Construction)
Presentations
Team 3: The Pennsylvania State University
View the written submission (PDF)
Team 5: University of Nebraska-Lincoln
View the written submission (PDF)
Team 6: Kansas State University
View the written submission (PDF)