KU News Release

KU student team wins international contest with sustainable design

LAWRENCE — Four recent graduates of the University of Kansas have won a $1,500 award in an international competition for their design of a eco-friendly recreation center.

Alexandra Gibson, Justina Jones, Bryan Quarles and Bazigha Tufail won in the architectural design category of the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Engineers 2008 Student Design Competition. The team members will present their design in January at the society’s meeting in Chicago.

Key features of the KU team’s design include a roof that combats the urban heat effect, provides extra insulation and contributes to CO2 absorption/oxygen output; rainwater harvesting; development of lighting controls that detect the amount of daylight; efficient fixtures; the use of shelves for indirect lighting; and photovoltaic panels to minimize electricity use.

Their goal was to use sustainable technologies for heating, ventilation, air conditioning, refrigeration, lighting, energy supply and water use. The team completed the project as part of the spring semester Architectural Engineering Design II course taught by Brian A. Rock, associate professor of civil, environmental and architectural engineering.

“This group of four seniors was particularly effective in working as a team,” Rock said. “They sought advice at the optimal times and were effective in implementing their ideas.”

The students had to stay on track with other course requirements, as well.

“This same team of students also designed and constructed a duct/fan testing apparatus and learned more about building environmental systems and professional practice, all in the same one-semester course,” Rock said.

The competition required students to design aspects of a 60,000-square-foot community center that featured full-size basketball courts, a running track, indoor racquetball courts, a fitness equipment room and a natatorium.

The KU students finished their project in early May and submitted it in the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Engineers’ Kansas City chapter competition. The entry won the chapter event, as well as the subsequent regional contest before moving on to the international competition, Rock said.

Design competitions provide invaluable experience to engineering students.

“These design competitions are particularly effective when incorporated with our senior capstone design courses,” Rock said. “They encourage students to work in teams and to tackle real problems. The competitions and the capstone courses help transition students to the rapidly approaching work environment.”

The 50,000-member American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Engineers is an international professional organization dedicated to advancing the science and art of heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration systems.

KU student team members are listed below by hometown, major and degree, parents’ names, high schools and other degrees earned.

JOHNSON COUNTY
From De Soto 66018
Justina Jones, bachelor’s degree in architectural engineering from KU, spring 2008; daughter of Darrell and Aberta Jones; bachelor’s degree from Grand Canyon University, Phoenix, Ariz.; Piper High School, Kansas City, Kan.

MISSOURI
From Lee’s Summit 64081
Bryan Quarles, bachelor’s degree in architectural engineering from KU, spring 2008; son of Donald D. Quarles; Lee’s Summit Senior High School.

From Lee’s Summit 64086
Bazigha Tufail, bachelor’s degree in architectural engineering from KU, spring 2008; daughter of Mohammad and Aasma Tufail; Lee’s Summit Senior High School.

OKLAHOMA
From Norman 73069
Alexandra Gibson, bachelor’s degree in architectural engineering from KU, spring 2008; daughter of Ray Gibson; Norman High School.

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