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Students from each major in Mississippi State University’s 91���� launched the fall semester with an interdisciplinary student design competition.

Seniors majoring in architecture, art, building construction science and interior design have been competing in the Brasfield & Gorrie Student Design Competition for top honors, including a cash prize, since its inception in 2011. The competition sponsor, , is one of the nation’s largest privately held construction firms based in Birmingham, Alabama.

Simulating real-world design processes, the goal of the competition is to engage students in collaborative design and construction solutions to help them overcome preconceived ideas of the roles traditionally assumed by the various disciplines in the college. 

This year, 10 collaborative teams—each comprised of nine to 10 students—were tasked with developing an overall design and construction plan for a satellite wellness center on the south side of campus. Students had to work together to develop a cohesive, constructible design that included branding as well as aspects of Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design—LEED—in line with the university’s initiatives.

Hallie Gipson, an interior design student from Ridgeland, said the biggest challenge her team faced was the time constraint.

“We really had to hone in on what was required while also incorporating aspects that went above and beyond the client's intent,” she said.

Gipson said working with different majors as a team was very insightful.

“Seeing the overlap between all of our disciplines was equally exciting and eye-opening,” she said. “Each team member brought so much to the table, and I learned something new from all of them.”

Gipson said the competition also is helping prepare her for her future career.

“Not only did I learn about how each discipline contributes to the design process, but I was able to sharpen my communication and organizational skills,” she said. “This project is great exposure to what’s to come, and I’m so thankful that it is a part of our curriculum.” 

Honorees included, by hometown and major:

FIRST PLACE – Team 2, Project “AMP”

COLUMBUS—Lilian Barlow, interior design

GREENWOOD—Jeremiah Richards, architecture

HATTIESBURG—Katherine Nause, art

LUCEDALE—Anna Leigh O’Brien, interior design

MADISON—William Hunter, building construction science

MOBILE, Alabama—Abigail Boles, interior design

NOXAPATER—Nona Wilkes, interior design

OLIVE BRANCH—Charles Bearden, building construction science

RIVERSIDE, Illinois—Tess Bruno, architecture

TUSCALOOSA, Alabama—Cooper Smith, building construction science

SECOND PLACE – Team 7, Project “VESL”

ARLINGTON, Tennessee—Victoria Henderson, architecture

BATESVILLE—Allyssa Swindle, interior design

CLINTON—Emily Hammons, architecture

COLUMBUS—Leighann Pounders, interior design

FENTON, Missouri—Jordan Beseda, interior design

HATTIESBURG—Alexander West, building construction science

JACKSON—Paige Wigant, art

LOUIN—Christopher McNeil, building construction science

MCGREGOR, Texas—Tanner Fromm, interior design

SPRINGFIELD, Missouri—Brayden Emmert, building construction science

THIRD PLACE – Team 9, Project “APEX”

FLORA—William Pace, building construction science

MARIETTA, Georgia—James Harper, architecture

MOUNT OLIVE—Sabra Hubbard, interior design

NESBIT—Raul Zaragoza, building construction science

RIDGELAND—Hallie Gipson, interior design

SALTILLO—Lily Cate King, interior design

STARKVILLE—Ada Fulgham, architecture

TUPELO—Olivia Dickey, art

TUSCALOOSA, Alabama—Elizabeth Garcia, building construction science

HONORABLE MENTION – Team 1, Project “NEXUS”

BARTLETT, Tennessee—Aaron Shankle, building construction science

BILOXI—Daniel Hardy, art

BOGUE CHITTO—Jonathan Allbritton, building construction science

COLUMBUS—Grayson Jones, interior design

GREENVILLE—Elvis Scott, architecture

JACKSON, Tennessee—Chloe Burnette, interior design

OXFORD—Anna Barnes, architecture

MADISON—Aden Wright, interior design

RICHARDSON, Texas—Ben Hayes, building construction science

Learn more about MSU’s 91���� and its academic programs at  and on Facebook and Instagram @CAADatMSU.

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