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AEI International Student Design Competition 2025

Kansas City, Missouri | –

2020 Award Winners

The University of Nebraska-Lincoln earned first place honors at the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) Architectural Engineering Institute (AEI) International Student Design Competition (ISDC) on Wednesday, April 22, winning in the Building Integration and Mechanical Systems Design categories. The Pennsylvania State University won in the Electrical Systems Design and Structural Systems Design categories. Additionally, both schools each won an award for Outstanding Achievement in Innovation. The Milwaukee School of Engineering took home first place in the Construction category. 

Typically held in-person, AEI made the decision to hold this year’s competition and awards ceremony virtually due the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic and CDC guidelines to avoid large gatherings. 

Each year, the AEI International Student Design Competition attracts the top architectural engineering undergraduate and graduate students from leading academic institutions that offer 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.

“In a particularly unique competition to years past, the student teams demonstrated their passion and ingenuity virtually, a first for the 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. The awards and those who so generously sponsored them are as follows: 
 

  • Building Integration
    1st Place (SmithGroup):  University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Team #3
    2nd Place (Simpson Gumpertz & Heger): The Pennsylvania State University, Team #2
  • Construction
    1st Place (Barton Malow): Milwaukee School of Engineering, Team #11
    2nd Place (DAVIS Construction):  The Pennsylvania State University, Team #2
  • Electrical Systems
    1st Place (Affiliated Engineers, Inc.): The Pennsylvania State University, Team #2
    2nd Place (HGA):  Milwaukee School of Engineering, Team #11
  • Mechanical Systems
    1st Place (HDR): University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Team #3
    2nd Place (WSP USA): The Pennsylvania State University, Team #2
  • Structural Systems
    1st Place (AEI ISDC Committee): The Pennsylvania State University, Team #2
    2nd Place (Skidmore, Ownings & Merrill, LLP):  University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Team #3

Special Awards

  • Outstanding Achievement in Innovation – Wellness Hub
    Winner: The Pennsylvania State University, Team #2  
  • Outstanding Achievement in Innovation – Building Envelope
    Winner: University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Team #3

Additional Sponsors

  • Director: Lean Construction Institute
  • Student Recognition: Franklin Technical Services, LLC

Members of the Winning Teams

Team 2: Pennsylvania State University

  • Sierra Stewart (Structural, Integration)
  • Rachel Coyle (Mechanical, Integration)
  • Rebecca Might (Structural, Integration)
  • David Gawryla (Structural, Integration)
  • Isabella Vesce (Construction, Integration)
  • Maria Del Castillo (Electrical, Integration)
  • Ryan Sayre (Mechanical, Integration)
  • Oluwademilade [Demi] Somuyiwa (Mechanical, Integration)
  • Laura Hinkle (Electrical, Integration)
  • Sam Dzwill (Construction, Integration)
  • Faculty Advisor: Professor Ryan Solnosky, Ph.D.

Team 3: University of Nebraska–Lincoln

  • Meredith Butler (Structural, Integration)
  • Nicole Aschoff Structural, Integration) 
  • Noor Albahrani (Electrical, Integration)
  • Nate German (Mechanical, Integration)
  • Nate Schmidt (Structural, Integration)
  • Adam Hansen (Electrical, Integration)
  • Jenny Solheim (Mechanical, Integration)
  • Ben Stodola (Electrical, Integration)
  • Dalton Rabe (Electrical, Integration)
  • Ali Al Lawati (Structural, Integration)
  • Faculty Advisor: Professor Clarence Waters, Ph.D.

Team 11: Milwaukee School of Engineering

  • Mike Osep (Mechanical, Integration)
  • Megan Hanelt (Structural, Integration)
  • Drake Taxon (Structural, Integration)
  • Jaclyn McNulty (Electrical, Integration)
  • Collin Rayome (Electrical, Integration)
  • Joseph Crooks (Mechanical, Integration)
  • Blake Bostwick (Construction, Integration)
  • Alex Olson (Structural, Construction, Integration)
  • Faculty Advisor: Professor Christopher Raebel, Ph.D

Presentations

Team 2: Pennsylvania State University

View the written submission (PDF)

Team 3: University of Nebraska–Lincoln

View the written submission (PDF)

Team 11: Milwaukee School of Engineering

View the written submission (PDF)

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