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MCA Student Design Competition explores environmental themes

The Metal Construction Association (MCA), Glenview, Ill., has opened registration for its 2007 Student Design Competition. This year's event will focus on how architecture can benefit the environment.

The project's concept is the design of nature center facilities on an island setting on the Lake Michigan shores, just south of downtown Chicago. Assessing the energy and environmental benefits of metal, project planners thought it appropriate to have students evaluate the requirements of creating facilities reflecting concerns for the environment.

In its 10th year, the annual competition offers architecture students an opportunity to learn about designing and building with metal. Entrants must address architectural, structural, functional, cultural, and environmental issues in a project that incorporates sheet and other metals for the design.

A project theme is developed each year by a team of architects and Chicago Park District planners, led by Andy Koglin, AIA, vice president of OKW Architects in Chicago. Koglin drafts the conceptual project specifications.

The project is typically based on recreation and based on a Chicago Park District site—this year's site is Northerly Island.

The competition requires that, in addition to designing structures, entrants consider location, climate, local community, and area history. Plans must utilize sustainable building concepts as defined by the U.S. Green Building Council's LEED building standards. Metal is required as the primary structural material.

Individuals or groups of students can submit designs. Each entry requires a faculty sponsor. All entries are judged by a panel of architects and planners; the panel selects the top three designs. Awards are provided by MCA.

First place awards $2,500 to the student or group designers, $1,500 to the school, and $500 to the faculty sponsor. For second place, the student or group collects $1,500, with the school receiving $750 and the faculty sponsor $250. Third place is $500 for the student or group, $250 for the school, and $50 for the sponsor.

The submission deadline is Nov. 5. Additional contest information is available at the organization's Web site.