Course Name: ARC 3546 – Architectural Design III-B and BCS 3126 – Building Construction Studio IV, more commonly known as The 3rd Year Collaborative Studio

Course Description:

This project was the collaborative development of the architectural and construction aspects of using precast concrete for the design of a building addition to the Cadence Building in downtown Starkville, MS. The addition was a parking garage with street-level retail spaces to enhance the walkability and retail options in downtown Starkville. Materials presented were the architectural design aspects of the precast structural system, the architecture precast cladding system, and how they integrate into the existing historic building. The construction aspects presented were the creation and installation of the custom architectural precast cladding system, the project budget, and scheduling. The MSU students teams are composed of 2-3 architecture students and 1-2 Building Construction Science students for teams of 4-5 students. There were a total of 16 teams.

Visiting Reviewers:

  • Matt DeVoss – Jackson Precast

  • Andrew Westfall – Tindall Precast

  • Niloufar Emami – Louisiana State University School of Architecture

  • Roy Decker – Duvall Decker Architects

  • Alex Reeves – Yates Construction

Faculty Teaching PCI Foundation Studio:

  • Alexis Gregory, AIA – Associate Professor, School of Architecture

  • Briar Jones, AIA – Instructor, Building Construction Science Program

  • Hans Herrmann, AIA – Associate Professor, School of Architecture

  • Mohsen Garshasby, Ph.D. – Assistant Professor, Building Construction Science Program

  • Ryan Ashford, AIA – Instructor, School of Architecture

Industry Partners

Recent participation in the architectural final review as part of the semester wrap-up of the MS State  PCI Foundation Studio was a real treat. On April 16th, Mississippi State conducted the final reviews of Architectural Design III-B and BCS 3126 – Building Construction Studio IV, more commonly referred to as The 3rd Year Collaborative Studio. The collaborative studio, one of only a handful in the country, combines architectural students with construction management students in a project design, price, schedule and build scenario. Reviewers for the university included Alexis Gregory, AIA – Associate Professor, School of Architecture, Briar Jones, AIA – Instructor, Building Construction Science Program, Hans Herrmann, AIA – Associate Professor, School of Architecture, Mohsen Garshasby, Ph.D. – Assistant Professor, Building Construction Science Program and Ryan Ashford, AIA – Instructor, School of Architecture. External and Industry reviewers were Matt DeVoss – Jackson Precast, Andrew Westfall – Tindall Precast, Niloufar Emami – Louisiana State University School of Architecture, Roy Decker – Duvall Decker Architects, Alex Reeves – Yates Construction and Dan Eckenrode - PCI Gulf South.

There were a total of 16 teams (composed of 4 to 5 students each). The two winning teams were then selected to go to the PCI Convention in New Orleans. We would like to thank all of the teams for their hard work this semester!

Check out MSU’s Spring 2021 Final renderings by clicking on an image below!