Lemont High School Students Prepare for National Architecture Competition

A team of students from Lemont High School is in the final stages of preparing for the school's annual appearance at one of the nation's top architectural design contests.

Seniors Matt Kowalczyk, Matt Nilles, Brandon White, Josh Young and Tyler Zaremski will represent Lemont in the National Skyskraper Challenge division at the 2012 Mock Firms Architectural Competition, which will be held Friday, May 4, at Chicago's Congress Plaza Hotel.

The competition is sponsored by Chicago Architecture Today, the Illinois Institute of Technology’s College of Architecture, and the Council on
Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH).

This year’s theme is “Versatility.” Economic conditions have downscaled projects around the globe. Despite the adverse financial climate, positive developments have come about in the architecture, construction and engineering industries — better discipline in design and a focus on sustainability, adaptability and versatility. Tall buildings have been re-imagined as vertical communities with multi-use spaces able to serve evolving needs and changing desires throughout its lifetime.

The Mock Firms competition helps both high school and college students simulate real-life architectural design firms. This year's goal is to organize a "mock" firm in order "to conceive, coordinate, construct and commercialize a mixed-use tall building project for downtown Detroit," according to a press release from District 210. Firms can include as many as five "partners."

Kowalczyk, Nilles, White, Young and Zaremski will be among teams from across the country that will present their ideas to industry professionals. Each firm will present its concept to the panel, with the ultimate goal of becoming the
2012 Most Outstanding Mock Firm.

Awards also will be given in several other categories, including “Top Firm Organization,” “Top Design Firm,” “Top Marketing Firm,” “Top Construction Firm,” “Top Engineer Firm” and, for states with multiple entries, “Top State Firm.”

The team from Lemont High School has been working for several month on its entry, "Young, White and Associates." All of the participating students are enrolled in teacher Scott Duensing’s Advanced CAD III Honors course.

Nicknamed the “hive” because of its resemblance to a honeycomb, the building developed by Young, White and Associates would have 80 floors in its tallest tower and soar to approximately 1,000 feet with its 200 foot antennae. The top of the highest tower would house multiple solar panels to harness solar energy, while the three towers below would include a helicopter landing pad, outdoor pool and garden area for residents, and seating for a restaurant.

Projects will be judged by architects, professors, graduate students, media and members of the international CTBUH. Evaluations will be based on precision, practicality, participation and presentation. 

Lemont has had a great deal of success at the Mock Firms competition in years past. In 2009, the duo of Sean Armbruster ‘09 and Kayla Laski ‘09 earned “Top Model Presentation” honors, and in 2010, a firm consisting of Mark Kaminski ‘10, Zymante Petruseviciute ‘11 and Kathy Sitko ‘10 earned “Top Firm Organization” in its division. Last year, a firm including Petruseviciute, Austin Morlock ‘11, Nick Szerzinski ‘11 and Colton Wojnowski ‘11 captured “Top Firm Organization” honors and tied for “Top Engineer Firm” accolades in the contest’s High School Skyscraper Division.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 

Like what you see? Sign up for our daily email newsletter.

Like us on Facebook for a slightly different take.