Kawneer/AIAS-sponsored Student Design Competition underway

For the sixth consecutive year, the American Institute of Architecture Students and Kawneer Co., Inc. will sponsor the annual Student Design Competition, challenging students to design a stadium, civic center or arena while learning about building materials, specifically architectural aluminum building products and systems. The total amount of prize money for winning entries will be $7,225, according to an Aug. 17 release.

This year's competition requires participants to select a city and outdoor sport of their choosing and create an environmentally friendly facility that will serve the community and alternative programming to lessen the overall wastefulness of the structure. Additionally, students will be tasked to design a space that is resilient in all forms of weather, including hurricanes and tropical storms of the Gulf, while seating a minimum of 25,000 patrons. Competition objectives also include building knowledge about materials, products and techniques that can help earn Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certification points while creating a fun and exciting atmosphere for sports viewing. Submissions will be evaluated based on ingenuity and originality, as well as appropriate use of sustainable products and overall design clarity.

"Each year, Kawneer looks forward to this competition and seeing the creative and unique design ideas brought forth by students from across the nation," said Kimberly Ferro, vice president, Marketing and Product Development, Kawneer North America, in the release. "We are committed to providing educational opportunities and offering products, solutions and tools that help architects of all ages make their visions a reality."

Visit http://kawneer.aias.org/ for more information about the 2011 Student Design Competition.