AIAS and Kawneer Announce 2009 Student Design Competition
June 10, 2009

The American Institute of Architecture Students (AIAS) and Kawneer Company Inc. have announced the fourth annual national student design competition. Sponsored by Kawneer and administered by AIAS, the competition is designed to challenge students to learn about building materials, specifically architectural aluminum building products and systems, in the design of a municipal courthouse. The competition is open to all students of architecture and design in North America, with winning students/teams and their AIAS chapter receiving cash prizes totaling $7,225 including $2,500 for the first place winning design.

Participants will be required to research, respond to and highlight the unique aspects of designing a municipal courthouse that embodies the surrounding community's history, religious and secular beliefs and cultural differences. Municipal courthouses serve as a symbol of authority in local communities, and as publicly funded buildings need to contribute positively to the fabric of the area through energy efficiency and security. In addition, participants will be challenged to utilize green building principles, including consideration of the U.S. Green Building Council's (USGBC) Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) building standards, throughout the design process.

Competition objectives also include building knowledge about materials, products and installation, as well as creating a secure facility that looks to the civic, cultural and service needs of the community for the present and future. Submissions will be evaluated based on ingenuity and originality, as well as appropriate use of sustainable products and design clarity.

Three winning designs and three honorable mentions will be selected by the competition's jury and winners will be announced December 21, 2009 via the AIAS website. The winning projects will be displayed at the 2009 AIAS FORUM in Minneapolis, December 29, 2009 - January 1, 2010 and at the 2010 AIA National Convention and Design Exposition in Miami, June 10 - 12, 2010. In addition, the AIAS chapter at each school will receive a cash grant.

The registration deadline is Wednesday, October 14, 2009 and all entries must be submitted by Friday, December 4, 2009.

CLICK HERE to learn more about the 2009 Student Design Competition.

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