Finalists Announced for 21st Century Project
Design Showcase Competition
Innovative design ideas will explore ways to form student communities as well create products and furnishings for the residence hall of the future
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 26, 2007
The Association of College and University Housing Officers – International (ACUHO-I) is excited to announce the eight finalists in the 21st Century Project Design Showcase: the Future of College Housing. The finalists were chosen from 46 entries and will present their designs to a jury on January 26, 2007 in Phoenix, Arizona. The winning entry will be awarded $25,000.
The eight finalists are (in alphabetical order):
- American Campus Communities & WDG Architecture Team (Austin, Texas)
- Angelini and Associates Architects (Ann Arbor, Michigan)
- Bergmeyer Associates, Inc. (Boston, Massachusetts)
- CSO Schenkel Shultz (Indianapolis, Indiana)
- Levi Architects (Boston, Massachusetts)
- Marks, Thomas Architects (Baltimore, Maryland)
- RATIO Architects, Inc. (Indianapolis, Indiana) & KI (Green Bay, Wisconsin)
- Southern Illinois University Edwardsville & Mackey Mitchell Associates (St. Louis, Missouri)
For this competition, designers, students, architects, and college housing professionals from around the world submitted design proposals for the individual student living unit. Each contestant was challenged to incorporate concepts such as flexibility, sustainability, student development, security, and technology as they created their vision for residence hall rooms and suites 25 years into the future. “There are some truly innovative ideas represented in these designs,” said Michael Coakley, coordinator of the 21st Century Project. “It’s exciting to see these proposals and think that we’re actually seeing the future of college housing being created.”
The next stage for the finalists will be a presentation before nine jury members at the Wyndham Hotel and Resort in Phoenix, Arizona on January 26, 2007. The jury will consist of one university chief financial officer, one university chief academic officer, one university student affairs officer, one university chief housing officer, one student, two university campus architects/planners, and two industry design professionals.
“The demographics of the jury was selected based on the idea of who we felt should be at the discussion table when a college or university is considering the construction of new housing,” said Coakley. “Each of these individuals will bring their own experiences and viewpoints as they try to determine which design is the winner.”
To further the educational mission of the 21st Century Project, the jury presentations will be open to the public. Registration to this day-long event is $295 for ACUHO-I members and $395 for non-members as well as a special $95 registration fee for students. The fee includes lunch as well as admission to an award presentation reception once the competition has concluded.
Audience members will also have a chance to vote on a “people’s choice” winner.
The 21st Century Project is a multi-phased initiative leading to the construction of a new, state-of-the-art residential facility for colleges and universities. In addition to creating one or more prototype residential facilities on several campuses, the project will assist colleges and universities in designing new residential facilities that reflect the ever-changing roles that residences play in the collegiate experience.
Future competitions will build upon the winning entry from January’s event. Designers will create ways to cluster the room into halls or pods, and those clusters will then be grouped into a building. “The ultimate goal of this project has always been the actual construction of a new, prototype residence hall,” said Coakley.
For more information about the competition and the 21st Century Project, visit the Web site at www.21stCenturyProject.com or contact ACUHO-I at 614.292.0099. Press inquiries should be directed to James Baumann, ACUHO-I director of Communications and Marketing at james@acuho-i.org.
Biographies of Finalists
- American Campus Communities & WDG Architecture Team
American Campus Communities currently supervises 53 campus communities, and has extensive experience with achieving housing projects within state environmental codes. WDG Architecture has been recognized nationwide for its multi-faceted landmark projects. With more than 70 years of innovative work under its belt, WDG Architecture Team strives to continuously raise the bar in architectural design.
- Angelini and Associates Architects
Established in 1989, Angelini and Associates focuses exclusively on higher education residential and dining hall construction. Partners Bradford and Teresa Angelini, along with a select group of project architects and designers, have received national attention through various completed projects, publications, recognitions and rewards.
- Bergmeyer Associates, Inc.
Based in Boston, MA, Bergmeyer’s portfolio consists of projects within institutions, retail, housing, corporate interiors, commercial buildings, and restaurants nationwide. Currently, a choice group of designers and project managers work within the college and university realm. The firm stresses the use of collaborative efforts within each unique project.
- CSO Schenkel Shultz
The CSO Schenkel Shultz Higher Education Research Studio, working with the Programming and Planning Studio, boasts more than 40 years of combined experience in the architecture and design fields. The broader firm employs an interactive group composed of architects, engineers, landscapers, and planners, and is strongly committed to a large list of collaborating organizations.
- Levi Architects
Established as a private architecture practice in 1984, Jonathan Levi has since expanded his focus to the public and institutional domain. The practice resume boasts multiple awards and publications, and has received national recognition for its work within Harvard University and the Holocaust Museum.
- Marks, Thomas Architects
As a firm of 47 skilled architects and designers, Marks, Thomas Architects has designed thousands of student resident beds over the past decade. The group studies the continuing changes within expectations for higher education, and is committed to the exploration of future college and university housing.
- RATIO Architects, Inc. & KI
Specializing in architecture, historic preservation, interior design, landscape architecture, and urban planning, RATIO Architects combine professional from all fields to create collaborative design studios. The firm’s college and university housing expert brings more than 18 years of experience to the project team, and has been involved in multiple university projects. KI (formerly known as Krueger International) manufacturers a comprehensive line of office, commercial, institutional, and educational furniture.
- Southern Illinois University Edwardsville & Mackey Mitchell Associates
A team of students and housing officials from the Southern Illinois University joined forces with architects Mackey Mitchell Associates to create a diverse design group specifically for the 21st Century Project. Each associate brings unique field skills and knowledge, all centralized within college and university housing design and renovation.