SKOKIE, Ill. – The versatility and recyclability of concrete was put to the test in the third annual “Concrete Thinking for a Sustainable World” student design competition.

The competition is co-sponsored by Portland Cement Association (PCA) along with the National Ready Mixed Concrete Association (NRMCA) and is administered by Association of Collegiate School of Architecture (ACSA). This year more than 800 students from 33 architecture schools around the world participated.  Students either created an environmentally responsible recycling center, focused on reusing today’s materials to preserve tomorrow’s resources, or designed a building element that provides a sustainable solution to real-world environmental challenges.

Antonio Vigil of the University of New Mexico won first place in the recycling center category, for his interesting blend of programmatic elements built around the prominent sustainable theme of reduce, recycle, reuse.  His recycling center was located in a central shopping area and included a local market  or “Mercardo” for people to sell and exchange goods.

The building element category, won by Anne Miller, from the University of Toronto, explored the minimal use of materials, resulting in a reusable fabric concrete form liner.

“We applaud these students for coming up with such innovative submissions and pushing the boundaries of concrete in green building,” said David Shepherd, Portland Cement Association’s director of sustainable development. “Concrete’s durability, energy efficiency and versatility make it an ideal building material for sustainable design. This competition clearly illustrates its many applications.”

Winning students, their faculty sponsors and schools will receive cash prizes and software totaling nearly $50,000. Included in the prize package is StructurePoint©, concrete design software, a retail value of nearly $10,000.

Prize-winning projects will be displayed at the 2009 ACSA Annual Meeting in Portland, Oregon and at the 2009 American Institute of Architects Convention in San Francisco. In addition, a competition summary catalog will be available from ACSA in fall 2008.

First Place Winner—Recycling Center
Student: Antonio Vigil
University: University of New Mexico
Faculty Sponsor: Geoffrey Adams
Project Title: Mixed-use Recycling Center + Mercado

Jurors awarded Bell first place for his ”innovative use of concrete.”  The  Mixed-use Recycling Center + Mercado makes a visual statement with its location near a busy highway and shopping district and provides a more sustainable venue for purchasing and exchanging goods

Additional Winners—Recycling Center

Honorable Mentions:
Students: Mary Stuckert & Maria Galarza
University: Texas Tech University
Faculty Sponsor: Bennett Robert Neiman
Project Title: Solid Direction: Concrete Thinking

Student: Dean Cowdrey
University: University of New Mexico
Faculty Sponsor: Geoffrey Adams
Project Title: Albuquerque Recycling Center

Student: Hon Cheung Wong
University: University of Southern California
Faculty Sponsor: Warren Techentin
Project Title: Oasis of Downtown: 110 Expo Recycling Center

First Place Winner—Building Element
Students: Anne Miller
University: University of Toronto
Faculty Sponsors: Brigitte Shim, OAA, FRAIC, AIA Intl
Project Title: from Folded to Form: making the MASS mobile

Miller was commended by jurors for a “very thorough exploration of the concept.”  Her concept of reusable fabric concrete form liners not only “used minimal materials” but allowed for a resulting “interesting aesthetic.” 

Additional Winners—Building Element

2nd Place
Students: Sean Cottengim, Shadi Saleh, & Marco Downs
University:  University of Cincinnati
Faculty Sponsors: Terry Boling, AIA
Project Title: Aqueous Aggregation

3rd Place
Students: Dora Kelle, Mark Bearak, & Adam Mercier
University: Columbia University
Faculty Sponsors: Phillip Anzalone, RA
Project Title: Brise Block -or- Wall Redefined

Panel of Judges
During the weekend of June 7, 2008, a design jury convened in Washington, D.C., to select the winning projects. The design jury consisted of the following individuals:

• Terri Boake, associate professor of architecture at the University of Waterloo, Ontario, Canada, and president of the Society of Building Science Educators
• Renée Cheng, Associate Professor and Head of College of Design, University of Minnesota
• Shelia Kennedy, AIA, Principal of Kennedy & Violich Architecture
• David Shepherd, AIA, director of sustainable development for the PCA
• Donn Thompson, AIA, LEED AP, residential technology program manager for PCA

About PCA
The Portland Cement Association (PCA), based in Skokie, Ill., represents cement companies in the United States and Canada. It conducts market development engineering, research, education, and public affairs programs. Additional information is available at www.cement.org. PCA also developed www.concretethinker.org, a Web site devoted to how concrete can be used to achieve sustainability solutions.


About ACSA
Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture (ACSA) is a nonprofit organization founded in 1912 to enhance the quality of architectural education. School membership in ACSA has grown from 10 charter schools to more than 200 schools in several membership categories. Through these schools, more than 4,500 architecture faculty are represented in ACSA’s membership. ACSA, unique in its representative role for professional schools of architecture, provides a major forum for ideas on the leading edge of architectural thought. Issues that will affect the architectural profession in the future are being examined today in ACSA member schools. Additional information is available at www.acsa-arch.org.

About NRMCA
NRMCA, based in Silver Spring, MD, represents the producers of ready mixed concrete and the companies that provide materials, equipment and support to the industry. It conducts education, training, promotion, research, engineering, safety, environmental, technological, lobbying and regulatory programs.

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