Contact: Christie McNeal

STARKVILLE, Miss.—Students from every department at Mississippi State University’s College of Architecture, Art and Design kicked off the fall semester with an interdisciplinary student design competition.

Senior students majoring in architecture, art, building science and interior design have been competing for top prizes, including prize money, in the Brasfield & Gorrie Student Design Competition since its inception in 2011. Sponsor of the competition, Brasfield and Gorrie General ContractorsIt is one of the nation’s largest private construction companies, headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama.

Simulating real-world design processes, the aim of the competition is to engage students in collaborative design and construction solutions to help them overcome preconceived notions of roles traditionally held by various disciplines at the university.

This year, 10 collaborative teams of nine to 10 students each were tasked with developing an overall design and construction plan for a satellite wellness center on the south side of campus. In line with the university’s initiatives, students had to work together to develop a cohesive, buildable design that incorporated Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) elements as well as branding.

Hallie Gipson, an interior design student from Ridgeland, said the biggest challenge her team faced was time constraints.

“We needed to focus on what was really needed and also include aspects that went beyond the client’s intent,” he said.

Gipson said working as a team across disciplines was very insightful.

“It was equally exciting and eye-opening to see the overlap between all of our disciplines,” he said. “Each team member brought a lot to the table, and I learned something new from all of them.”

Gipson said the competition also helped prepare him for his future career.

“Not only did I learn how each discipline contributes to the design process, but I was also able to improve my communication and organizational skills,” she said. “This project provides a wonderful glimpse of what is to come, and I am so grateful to have it as part of our curriculum.”

Honorees according to their hometown and major:

FIRST PLACE – 2nd Team, “AMP” Project

COLUMBUS—Lilian Barlow, interior design

GREENWOOD—Jeremiah Richards, architecture

HATTIESBURG—Katherine Nausea, art

LUCEDALE—Anna Leigh O’Brien, interior design

MADISON—William Hunter, building science

MOBILE, Alabama—Abigail Boles, interior design

NOXAPATER—Nona Wilkes, interior design

THE OLIVE BRANCH—Charles Bearden, building science

RIVERSIDE, Illinois—Tess Bruno, architecture

TUSCALOOSA, Alabama—Cooper Smith, construction science

SECOND PLACE – 7th Team, “VESL” Project

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 science

JACKSON—Paige Wigant, art

LOUIN—Christopher McNeil, building science

MCGREGOR, Texas—Tanner Fromm, interior design

SPRINGFIELD, Missouri—Brayden Emmert, construction science

THIRD PLACE – 9th Team, Project “APEX”

FLORA—William Pace, building 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, construction science

HONORABLE MENTION – Team 1, Project “NEXUS”

BARTLETT, Tennessee—Aaron Shankle, 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, construction science

You can find more information about the MSU College of Architecture, Art and Design and its academic programs at: www.caad.msstate.edu and @CAADatMSU on Facebook and Instagram.

Mississippi State University takes care of what matters. Learn more at: www.msstate.edu.