Accessibility Tools
- Increase text
- Decrease text
- High contrast
- Negative contrast
- Add grayscale
- Remove grayscale
- Add lightbackground
- Remove lightbackground
- Reset
In January, the USGBC Detroit Region launched the 2019-2020 U.S. Green Building Council Detroit Region Student Design Competition to encourage students to become more acquainted with LEED and experience how it can help transform our built environment. This exciting competition was based on the sustainability guidelines and metrics developed by USGBC for the built environment and served as an important educational building block for those students who are seeking to be at the forefront of sustainability. The program challenged students, working individually or in teams, to submit projects that used a thoroughly integrated approach to architecture, natural systems, and technology to provide architectural solutions that protect and enhance the environment. The competition recognized exceptional design, planning and engineering projects that seamlessly integrate the USGBC LEED criteria and the strategies for moving towards sustainable resource conserving operation within their broader design concepts. The goal was to help inspire the next generation of architects, planners, engineers, and designers of the built environment. Projects were juried and awarded based on LEED criteria.
The competition included categories for urban and neighborhood planning/urban design, architecture, interior design/architecture, and building systems engineering. Our distinguished panel of jurors for this competition included professionals and leaders in the field of sustainability in the built environment. The program was designed to introduce students to LEED and demonstrate how this global rating system offers regional approaches to environmental and building issues and local resources to help projects on the ground, wherever they are. Students demonstrated how their building projects satisfy prerequisites and earn points to achieve different levels of LEED certification: Certified, Silver, Gold and Platinum.
Students had to be enrolled in a Michigan higher education institution during the time frame of the competition. This includes community colleges through graduate level institutions.
The USGBC Detroit Region Student Design Competition Committee is planning to run this competition again for the 2021-2022 school year. For information about participating or sponsoring, please contact usgbcdetroit@usgbc.org.
Competition Sponsors & Organizer
Silver
Contributors
Organizer
USGBC Detroit Region Student Design Competition Committee
- Laura Long, LEED AP, Studio Manager/Senior Associate, NORR – Committee Chair
- Lana Crouse, Director of Community - Michigan, U.S. Green Building Council
- Daniel L. Faoro, M.arch/UD RA, Assoc. Prof., Lawrence Technological University
- Peggy Matta, AIA, LEED AP, Project Architect, Redstone Architects, Inc.
- Liliana Gonzalez, RA, LEED ND, Development Design Specialist, Cinnaire
- Jason Lindy, Co-owner Building Cooperatively, Urban Planning Chair - Detroit Food Policy Council
The Jury
-
Chair: Jan Culbertson
FAIA, LEED AP BD+C, GGA
Senior Principal, A3C – Collaborative Architecture -
Walter Grondzik
PE, LEED AP, ASHRAE Fellow
Professor and Associate Chair, Department of Architecture, Ball State University -
Terri Meyer Boake
B.E.S., B.Arch., M.Arch., LEED AP
Professor, School of Architecture, University of Waterloo -
Gerry VanAcker
Chief Operating Officer, Detroit Zoological Society -
John Beeson
NCARB, RA, LEED AP BD+C EBO+M, LEED® Reviewer, BREEAM In-Use, BECxP, CxA+BE
Catalyst Partners
Jan Culbertson, FAIA, LEED AP BD+C, GGA
Jan received her M. Arch degree from the University of Michigan and has been practicing architecture for nearly 40 years. As a Senior Principal at A3C – Collaborative Architecture, she has focused on sustainability not only in her practice, but organized Architecture + 2030 continuing education sessions for architects in SE Michigan and continues to promote education and advocacy for carbon neutral future.
Growing up in Ann Arbor, Jan continues to work and serve in the town she loves. Jan is Leadership Council Chair for the Ann Arbor 2030 District, a member of the Ann Arbor Climate Partnership and the Ann Arbor Public Schools Sustainability Advisory Committee.
Jan is active in Scio Township serving as Vice-Chair of the Scio Township Zoning Board of Appeals and as a member of the Scio Township Planning Commission. Jan advocates at the state and national level for the architectural profession and the environment as the Co-Chair of AIA Michigan’s Government Advocacy Committee. In her free time, she spends time on the Huron River as a member of the Barton Boat Club, and especially enjoys hiking and biking.
Walter Grondzik
Walter Grondzik PE, LEED AP, ASHRAE Fellow, Professor and Associate Chair, Department of Architecture, Ball State University, is an architectural engineer by training and practice and a licensed professional mechanical engineer in the state of Oklahoma. His academic and professional interests include high-performance building design and analysis and all areas of building environmental control systems and their effects on buildings and occupants.
Grondzik is author of Principles of Building Commissioning and co-author of Mechanical and Electrical Equipment for Buildings (10th, 11th and 12th editions) and The Green Studio Handbook (1st, 2nd and 3rd editions). He is an ASHRAE Fellow, a Fellow of the American Solar Energy Society (ASES), and recipient of the 2018 ASES Passive Solar Pioneer Award. Grondzik is past-president of the Society of Building Science Educators (SBSE) and past-president of the Architectural Research Centers Consortium (ARCC). He is currently President of the Board of the Passive House Institute US (PHIUS) and a member of the ASHRAE Standards Committee.
Terri Meyer Boake B.E.S., B.Arch., M.Arch., LEED AP
Terri Meyer Boake B.E.S., B.Arch., M.Arch., LEED AP is a Full Professor at the School of Architecture at the University of Waterloo in Canada. She has been teaching building construction, environmental design and film since 1986. She works with several agencies developing teaching resources for Architectural education. She has published several books on Architecturally Exposed Structural Steel applications. She is a board member with the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat, the Canadian Institute of Steel Construction Education and Research Council and the OAA Committee for the Sustainable Built Environment. She is an avid photographer, documenting construction processes and completed buildings.
Gerry VanAcker, Chief Operating Officer, Detroit Zoological Society
The Detroit Zoological Society (DZS) appointed Gerry VanAcker to the position of Chief Operating Officer (COO) in 2011. He is responsible for park operations, security, landscape, maintenance, guest relations and human resources. VanAcker joined the DZS with more than 25 years of experience in the hospitality industry. Most recently, he served as General Manager of the Courtyard by Marriott in Livonia and, prior to that, owned and managed five Au Bon Pain Café bakeries in Metro Detroit. He has also held positions as Director of Catering Sales for the Marriott at the Detroit Renaissance Center, General Manager of the Courtyard by Marriott in downtown Detroit and Resident Manager and Director of Human Resources at The Dearborn Inn.
"We are delighted to have such a seasoned and successful Chief Operating Officer join our talented team," said Ron Kagan, Detroit Zoological Society Executive Director/CEO. VanAcker earned a bachelor's degree in accounting from Michigan State University.
John Beeson, NCARB, RA, LEED AP BD+C EBO+M, LEED® Reviewer, BREEAM In-Use, BECxP, CxA+BE
John's background complements the expertise at Catalyst and brings an enthusiastic, visionary mindset with technical competency to every project. He came into the profession of architecture in an unconventional way, starting with a major in Physics and then having a brief teaching career. But it was through an underlying search for applying his commitment to the environment with the greatest worldwide impact, John ended up in architecture. It was then that the effect of architecture on the environment came roaring into view. John’s educational career at the University of Michigan architecture school and engineering school sought to take on environmental awareness culminating in volunteering to be Project Manager for the MiSo* House Project and becoming the first student in Michigan to be LEED™ Accredited Professional by the US Green Building Council [USGBC]. Now licensed with a large range of project experience including envelope commissioning, John has been responsible for project facilitation and management, preparing sustainable design strategies and LEED goals, coordinating the efforts of the project team members and preparing the specifications and documentation necessary to complete certifications.
The Winners
1st Place: Entry 247
Student: Kayla TearFaculty: Daniel L. Faoro, M.arch/UD RA, Assoc. Prof. (Studio) and Dongwoo (Jason) Yeom, Ph.D Assist. Prof. (Lab)
School: Lawrence Technological University
Narrative:
A systematic approach was taken in designing the facility, based on bioclimatic concerns and strategies. The shape of the building was also driven by a cellular or modular system of repeated rectangular shapes. The modular nature makes for ease of construction and potential cost savings.
Jury statement:
Overall a very credible and well detailed project. The renders convey the building and its spaces well and convince the jury of a high comfort level and suitability to the program. A very convincing project. The choice of materials, layout, site placement, all work quite well.
2nd Place: Entry 267
Student: Nick CrawfordFaculty: Daniel L. Faoro, M.arch/UD RA, Assoc. Prof. (Studio) and Dongwoo (Jason) Yeom, Ph.D Assist. Prof. (Lab)
School: Lawrence Technological University
Narrative:
The goal of the Great Lakes nature center is to maximize the efficiency of a modular building system in three main areas: Core and shell, Systems, and Sustainability. Through two distinct modules (served and service), each of these areas directs a design that cooperates with the existing environment and provides an educational space for future generations to learn the importance of nature conservation.
Jury statement:
Overall a nicely detailed project. Its compact form is compelling. Very easy to understand given the range and caliber of info/drawings provided.
3rd Place: Entry 305
Student: Trent SchmitzFaculty: John Abela, M.Arch, AIA Adjunct Faculty (Studio) and Daniel L. Faoro, M.arch/UD RA, Assoc. Prof.( Lab)
School: Lawrence Technological University
Narrative:
The design for the Great Lakes Nature Center is focused around the Detroit Zoological Society's (DZS) mission statement of education, preservation, and dedication the Great Lakes. The proposed design is a modern and sustainable building that puts both DZS’s mission, and Lake St. Clair, on the forefront of user experience.
Jury statement:
It is a well thought out, quality project. Thorough examination of LEED as well as putting together a beautiful and functional building. The renders explained it in a compelling way, complemented by the diagrams.
Honorable Mentions
Honorable Mention for Creating Inspiring Interiors and Exhibits - Entry 293
Student: Andy Donlin
Faculty: Daniel L. Faoro, M.arch/UD RA, Assoc. Prof. (Studio) and Dongwoo (Jason) Yeom, Ph.D Assist. Prof. (Lab)
School: Lawrence Technological University
Narrative:
The narrative is based around the preservation of the Great Lakes water basin and the education of general public. The form of the building is derived around the structure of a diatom. The project intention is about an experience. The intention is to create a journey that informs the user about the Great Lakes water basin and surround ecology.
Jury statement:
Dynamite money shots while still addressing sustainable design elements and the experiential effect of the exhibits.
Honorable Mention for Technical Analysis and Integrating LEED Concepts - Entry 259
Student: Evelyn Ehgotz
Faculty: Daniel L. Faoro, M.arch/UD RA, Assoc. Prof. (Studio) and Dongwoo (Jason) Yeom, Ph.D Assist. Prof. (Lab)
School: Lawrence Technological University
Narrative:
The goal ... works to provide informative exhibits on sustainable building performance, including energy and water conservation efforts. The bio-climatic strategies are sun shading of windows, natural ventilative cooling, internal heat gain, passive solar direct gain, and wind protection of outdoor spaces.
Jury statement:
The narrative clearly indicates how the analyses impacted the design. Thorough analysis in addition to thoughtful selection of materials.
Honorable Mention for Technical Analysis and Integrating LEED Concepts - Entry 213
Student: Thea Donahue
Faculty: Rachel Kowalczyk, Adjunct Faculty, Studio Instructor and Dongwoo (Jason) Yeom, Ph.D Assist. Prof. (Lab)
School: Lawrence Technological University
Narrative:
The marshlands nature center showcases the efficiency of nature. In the St. Clair Metropark, natural marshland collects and filters water as it runs-off toward Lake St. Clair. Using similar processes, this factory-like center filters rainwater, integrates it into animal enclosures, and reunites it with the natural marshland, all while serving as a learning tool for the public. The hybridization of man and nature allows this nature center to meet LEED Gold Criteria.
Jury statement:
Good variety of support diagrams to explain the various systems. The balance of the details of the proposal were very complete.