2024 Metal Building Student Design Competition

University Sports Complex

Challenge
Imagine that your university has issued a request for proposals for a new campus recreation center and sports complex that will serve the student population.  In an effort to solicit the most innovative design solutions, they have chosen to launch a student design competition, and you are invited to participate. This complex will include both indoor and outdoor facilities for a variety of sports including athletic courts, a rock-climbing wall, and group exercise rooms. The competition challenges students to develop innovative designs using a metal building system to meet the fitness needs of their university.

Quick Introduction to Metal Building Systems
Before proceeding, please take five minutes to watch this video. Your success in the competition is highly dependent on your understanding of this form of construction and how to be creative with it.

An Introduction to Metal Building Systems

At some point, you will want to visit the Resource Page to learn more about metal buildings, especially the QuickStart Guide. Have fun!

Faculty Message
We encourage faculty to incorporate the competition into your design studio or other appropriate curriculum. We are eager to help you – so please reach out to us.  Also, please check out our Educational Project Folio Series on the Resource Page. These case studies are designed to introduce students to various topics in the “Relevance for Students” section of each folio.

Eligibility
All participants must be full-time registered students at a North American college/university. Entries will be accepted for individuals as well as teams. Teams are limited to a maximum of five students. All student/team entrants are required to work under the direction of a faculty sponsor through either a design, technology, structure or construction class. There are graduate and undergraduate divisions. No entry fee is required.

Competition Schedule
Registration Opens:  July 1, 2024
Submissions Due:  January 6, 2025
Awards Announced:  February 25, 2025

Prize/Awards
$30,000 in awards will be made to students and faculty advisors. For student team entries, the award will be divided and distributed equally to each member of the registered team. Both the graduate and undergraduate divisions will be awarded three prizes to the student and faculty advisor as follows: