Source: Blythe Vogt, 785-532-3559, bvogt@k-state.edu
News release prepared by: Kayela Richard, 785-532-2535, media@k-state.edu

Thursday, April 7, 2011

BUILDING SUCCESS: ARCHITECTURAL ENGINEERING TEAM EARNS TWO FIRST-PLACE HONORS

MANHATTAN -- A team from Kansas State University won two out of five categories -- the most by any school -- in the Architectural Engineering Institute's Charles Pankow Foundation Architectural Engineering Student Competition.

The March 31 event was part of the 2011 Architectural Engineering Conference in Oakland, Calif.

The K-State team was tops in the electrical category and the construction category for their ingenuity, innovativeness and originality of work. Fourteen teams from 12 universities participated in the competition, which challenged students to address design issues for a new contemporary art museum in San Francisco. Teams had to be sensitive to the local architecture and history of the area.

"It really showcases their abilities to extend classroom knowledge into an applied design solution," said Blythe Vogt, K-State assistant professor of architectural engineering and construction science and primary adviser for the team.

The multidisciplinary K-State team had to consider how the engineered systems work to enhance the architecture of the building and how design and construction can be integrated effectively.

"The students put in roughly three to five hours a week from September to early April," Vogt said, adding that the K-State team demonstrated the knowledge and skills that their future employers will value.

"These students have worked very hard on their designs and presentations and I truly believe they have represented K-State and the College of Engineering in a professional manner. We're very proud of them," she said.

Students who participated in the competition include:

From Greater Kansas City: Kyle Overcash, senior in architectural engineering, Kansas City, Kan.; Vincent Pianalto, senior in architectural engineering, Leawood; Laura Geiger, senior in architectural engineering, and Patrick Short, non-degree graduate in architectural engineering, both from Overland Park; and Scott Walter, senior in architectural engineering, Shawnee.

Bryant Denning, senior in architectural engineering, Lawrence; Aaron Svitak, non-degree graduate in architectural engineering, Lincolnville; and Alejandro de Luna, senior in construction science and management, and Marshall Frey, junior in construction science and management, both from Wichita.

From out of state: Marshall Van Tuyl, senior in architectural and engineering, Independence, Mo., project manager.