Pennsylvania State University and University of Nebraska-Lincoln take top prizes

RESTON, Va. –The Pennsylvania State University earned first place honors in four of five categories for building integration, construction, mechanical and structural at the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) Architectural Engineering Institute (AEI) International Student Design Competition (ISDC) on April 8, at the AEI Forum awards ceremony (held virtually). The University of Nebraska-Lincoln won first place for the electrical systems category and received an award for Outstanding Achievement in Innovation for Building Performance Enhancement.

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.

“Once again, the architectural engineering students presented professional and comprehensive competition projects. Their dedication, work ethic, and creativity were evident in their submissions.,” said Jonathan U. Dougherty, PhD, chair, AEI International Student Design Competition. “This competition is not only a highlight of the Architectural Engineering Institute’s annual programming, but also a consistent reminder that the future of the building design and construction industry is in the capable hands of these soon to be young professionals.”

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 - The Pennsylvania State University (sponsored by SmithGroup)
  • 2nd - University of Nebraska-Lincoln (sponsored by Barton Malow)

Construction

  • 1st Place - The Pennsylvania State University (sponsored by James G. Davis Construction Corporation)

Electrical Systems

  • 1st Place - University of Nebraska-Lincoln (sponsored by the ISDC Committee)
  • 2nd Place - The Pennsylvania State University (sponsored by HGA)

Mechanical Systems

  • 1st Place - The Pennsylvania State University (sponsored by WSP USA)
  • 2nd Place - University of Nebraska-Lincoln (sponsored by HDR)

Structural Systems

  • 1st Place - The Pennsylvania State University (sponsored by the ISDC Committee)
  • 2nd Place - University of Nebraska-Lincoln (sponsored by the ISDC Committee)

Outstanding Achievement in Innovation – Building Performance Enhancement

  • Winner - University of Nebraska-Lincoln

About the American Society of Civil Engineers

Founded in 1852, the American Society of Civil Engineers represents more than 150,000 civil engineers worldwide and is America's oldest national engineering society. ASCE works to raise awareness of the need to maintain and modernize the nation's infrastructure using sustainable and resilient practices, advocates for increasing and optimizing investment in infrastructure, and improve engineering knowledge and competency. For more information, visit www.asce.org or www.infrastructurereportcard.org and follow us on Twitter, @ASCETweets and @ASCEGovRel.

About ASCE’s Architectural Engineering Institute

Established in 1998, AEI is the premier organization for architectural engineering, promoting an integrated, multi-disciplinary approach to planning, design, construction and operation of buildings, by encouraging innovation, collaboration and excellence in practice, education and research of architectural engineering. For more information, visit www.asce.org/aei.