Mississippi State students compete in industry-sponsored interdisciplinary student design project

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.

Mississippi State seniors majoring in architecture, art, building construction science and interior design competed this semester in the Brasfield & Gorrie Student Design Competition.
Mississippi State seniors majoring in architecture, art, building construction science and interior design competed this semester in the Brasfield & Gorrie Student Design Competition. The goal of the interdisciplinary competition, first held in 2011, is to simulate real-world design processes and help students in MSU’s College of Architecture, Art and Design understand the importance of cross-disciplinary collaboration. (OPA Photo)

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:

The first-place winners for their “AMP” project are Team 2 members, pictured with sponsors
The first-place winners for their “AMP” project are Team 2 members, pictured with sponsors, (front, left-right) Isaiah Brooking, Brasfield & Gorrie; Tess Bruno, architecture; Nona Wilkes, interior design; Anna Leigh O’Brien, interior design; Abigail Boles, interior design; Brooke Keen, University Recreation; (back, left-right); Jason Townsend, University Recreation; Robert Robison, Brasfield & Gorrie; Cooper Smith, building construction science; Charles Bearden, building construction science; Jeremiah Richards, architecture; Lilian Barlow, interior design; Ryan Cole and Tyler Brown, Brasfield & Gorrie. Katherine Nause, art, is not pictured. (OPA Photo)

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

The second-place winners for their “VESL” project are Team 7 members, pictured with sponsors
The second-place winners for their “VESL” project are Team 7 members, pictured with sponsors, (front, left-right) Isaiah Brooking, Brasfield & Gorrie; Paige Wigant, art; Allyssa Swindle, interior design; Victoria Henderson, architecture; Leighann Pounders, interior design; Emily Hammons, architecture; Brooke Keen, University Recreation; (back, left-right) Jason Townsend, University Recreation; Robert Robison, Brasfield & Gorrie; Brayden Emmert, building construction science; Alexander West, building construction science; Jordan Beseda, interior design; Tanner Fromm, interior design; Ryan Cole and Tyler Brown, Brasfield & Gorrie. (OPA Photo)

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

The third-place winners for their “APEX” project are Team 9 members, pictured with sponsors
The third-place winners for their “APEX” project are Team 9 members, pictured with sponsors, (front, left-right) Isaiah Brooking, Brasfield & Gorrie; Lily Cate King, interior design; Hallie Gipson, interior design; Elizabeth Garcia, building construction science; Olivia Dickey, art; Sabra Hubbard, interior design; Brooke Keen, University Recreation; (back, left-right) Jason Townsend, University Recreation; Robert Robison, Brasfield & Gorrie; James Harper, architecture; Ada Fulgham, architecture; Raul Zaragoza, building construction science; William Pace, building construction science; Tyler Brown, B&G. (OPA Photo)

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

The honorable mention award for their “NEXUS” project are Team 1 members, pictured with sponsors
The honorable mention award for their “NEXUS” project are Team 1 members, pictured with sponsors, (front, left-right) Isaiah Brooking, Brasfield & Gorrie; Grayson Jones, interior design; Anna Barnes, architecture; Chloe Burnette, interior design; Aden Wright, interior design; Brooke Keen, University Recreation; (back, left-right) Jason Townsend, University Recreation; Robert Robison, Brasfield & Gorrie; Elvis Scott, architecture; Jonathan Allbritton, building construction science; Aaron Shankle, building construction science; Ben Hayes, building construction science; Ryan Cole and Tyler Brown, Brasfield & Gorrie. Daniel Hardy, art, is not pictured. (OPA Photo)

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.

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