Masonry and Timber Design Course Design Competition

Each year our Masonry and Timber Design class, also known as AE8510, conducts a design competition. This year's project was titled “College Dormitories in Winnebago, Nebraska”. Students were asked to maintain the community’s interest in low cost and sustainable building construction, in addition to the project’s scope and design criteria. Building scope included two 5,000 square foot floors, 15 dormitory rooms, and 1 community room that could also serve as a tornado shelter accessible from outside. The design criteria specified a structural system comprised of only masonry and timber, with extra consideration taken to utilize day lighting.

 Students work on the project all semester, enduring five document/drawing submissions which lead to one final presentation in front of a jury, held this year on April 27, 2017 at PKI. The four teams presented in front of a jury composed of local engineers and Nebraska Masonry Alliance (NMA) representatives. The winning team was awarded a $750 scholarship ($250/student) by the NMA.

 The 2017 winning team is "LAR Engineering," composed of Ryan Duren (MAE), Lucy Owusua Ampaw-Asiedu (MS in AE), and Alexander Bleyhl (MS in CIVE). Congratulations to the students on their hard work, all semester long!

 Special thank you to all industry participants in this project and Nebraska Masonry Alliance! The presentations would not be nearly as impactful to students without your support and invaluable feedback!