Mississippi State students compete in industry-sponsored interdisciplinary student design project
Contact: Christie McNeal
STARKVILLE, Miss.—Students from each major in Mississippi State University’s College of Architecture, Art and Design launched the fall semester with an interdisciplinary student design competition.
Seniors majoring in architecture, art, building construction science and interior design have been competing in the Brasfield & Gorrie Student Design Competition for top honors, including a cash prize, since its inception in 2011. The competition sponsor, Brasfield & Gorrie General Contractors, is one of the nation’s largest privately held construction firms based in Birmingham, Alabama.
Simulating real-world design processes, the goal of the competition is to engage students in collaborative design and construction solutions to help them overcome preconceived ideas of the roles traditionally assumed by the various disciplines in the college.
This year, 10 collaborative teams—each comprised of nine to 10 students—were tasked with developing an overall design and construction plan for a satellite wellness center on the south side of campus. Students had to work together to develop a cohesive, constructible design that included branding as well as aspects of Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design—LEED—in line with the university’s initiatives.
Hallie Gipson, an interior design student from Ridgeland, said the biggest challenge her team faced was the time constraint.
“We really had to hone in on what was required while also incorporating aspects that went above and beyond the client's intent,” she said.
Gipson said working with different majors as a team was very insightful.
“Seeing the overlap between all of our disciplines was equally exciting and eye-opening,” she said. “Each team member brought so much to the table, and I learned something new from all of them.”
Gipson said the competition also is helping prepare her for her future career.
“Not only did I learn about how each discipline contributes to the design process, but I was able to sharpen my communication and organizational skills,” she said. “This project is great exposure to what’s to come, and I’m so thankful that it is a part of our curriculum.”
Honorees included, by hometown and major:
FIRST PLACE – Team 2, Project “AMP”
COLUMBUS—Lilian Barlow, interior design
GREENWOOD—Jeremiah Richards, architecture
HATTIESBURG—Katherine Nause, art
LUCEDALE—Anna Leigh O’Brien, interior design
MADISON—William Hunter, building construction science
MOBILE, Alabama—Abigail Boles, interior design
NOXAPATER—Nona Wilkes, interior design
OLIVE BRANCH—Charles Bearden, building construction science
RIVERSIDE, Illinois—Tess Bruno, architecture
TUSCALOOSA, Alabama—Cooper Smith, building construction science
SECOND PLACE – Team 7, Project “VESL”
ARLINGTON, Tennessee—Victoria Henderson, architecture
BATESVILLE—Allyssa Swindle, interior design
CLINTON—Emily Hammons, architecture
COLUMBUS—Leighann Pounders, interior design
FENTON, Missouri—Jordan Beseda, interior design
HATTIESBURG—Alexander West, building construction science
JACKSON—Paige Wigant, art
LOUIN—Christopher McNeil, building construction science
MCGREGOR, Texas—Tanner Fromm, interior design
SPRINGFIELD, Missouri—Brayden Emmert, building construction science
THIRD PLACE – Team 9, Project “APEX”
FLORA—William Pace, building construction science
MARIETTA, Georgia—James Harper, architecture
MOUNT OLIVE—Sabra Hubbard, interior design
NESBIT—Raul Zaragoza, building construction science
RIDGELAND—Hallie Gipson, interior design
SALTILLO—Lily Cate King, interior design
STARKVILLE—Ada Fulgham, architecture
TUPELO—Olivia Dickey, art
TUSCALOOSA, Alabama—Elizabeth Garcia, building construction science
HONORABLE MENTION – Team 1, Project “NEXUS”
BARTLETT, Tennessee—Aaron Shankle, building construction science
BILOXI—Daniel Hardy, art
BOGUE CHITTO—Jonathan Allbritton, building construction science
COLUMBUS—Grayson Jones, interior design
GREENVILLE—Elvis Scott, architecture
JACKSON, Tennessee—Chloe Burnette, interior design
OXFORD—Anna Barnes, architecture
MADISON—Aden Wright, interior design
RICHARDSON, Texas—Ben Hayes, building construction science
Learn more about MSU’s College of Architecture, Art and Design and its academic programs at www.caad.msstate.edu and on Facebook and Instagram @CAADatMSU.
Mississippi State University is taking care of what matters. Learn more at www.msstate.edu.