STAMFORD, CT – Officials from the Construction Industry Round Table (CIRT) and the Architecture, Construction and Engineering (ACE) Mentor Program of America recently announced the winner of their third design competition held on April 27, 2009 in Washington, D.C., as part of the CIRT annual spring conference.
“All of the teams did a wonderful job of providing innovative, thoughtful, and interesting solutions to the design challenges they selected,” says Mark Casso, president of CIRT. “In every case, the teams exhibited hard work and enthusiasm for the projects. CIRT thanks all of the ACE affiliates and chapters for their interest and participation in this national competition.”
Students in ACE, the fastest growing high school, after-school mentoring program for the integrated construction industry were given the hypothetical task of designing a modular education pavilion, a cultural arts/theater center, a London 2012 Olympic Stadium or a redesign of the White House. Teams from more than 20 ACE programs nationwide submitted entries. Standards were posted on the ACE Web site in the fall of 2008. Sustainable design was a key element. Each team of students was to select one team member to present their project to representatives of the board of CIRT.
First place was awarded to the ACE New York City “Team 8” for its Cullian III London 2012 Olympic Stadium. Second place was awarded to the ACE Nashville program for its Modular Education Pavilion, and third place was awarded to ACE of Hawaii for its Pacific Performing Arts Center.
Honorable mention was given to the ACE Mentor Programs of Rhode Island, Frederick, MD, St. Louis, Sacramento, Palo Alto, Kansas City, and additional entries from New York City and Nashville.
Judges for the competition were: Mark Casso, president, CIRT (Washington, D.C.); Linda Figg, president, Figg Engineering Group (Tallahassee, FL); Robert Alger, president and CEO, Lane Construction Corp. (Orange, CT); Jim Kenney, president, Kenny Management Services (Northbrook, IL); and Matthew Walsh, CEO, Walsh Group (Chicago, IL).
“Each year the projects and presentations get better and better,” says Charles Thornton, chairman of the ACE Mentor Program of America. “I would put these designs up against any professional design—these kids are great.”
About the ACE Mentor Program
The ACE Mentor Program was founded by the principals of leading design and construction firms, to introduce high school students to career opportunities in the industry. The mission of the organization is to engage, excite and enlighten high school students to careers in the integrated construction industry through mentoring; and, provide a mechanism for their continued advancement in the industry through scholarships and grants. ACE makes a special attempt to reach students that otherwise may not become aware of the challenges and rewards of a career in the design and construction industry.
About the Construction Industry Round Table
The Construction Industry Round Table (CIRT) is exclusively composed of approximately 100 CEOs from the leading architectural, engineering and construction firms doing business in the United States. CIRT is the only organization that is uniquely situated as a single voice representing the richly diverse and dynamic design/construction community. First organized in 1987 as the Construction Industry President’s Forum, the Forum has since been incorporated as a not-for-profit association with the mission "to be a leading force for positive change in the design/construction industry while helping members improve the overall performance of their individual companies."
