BYU Teams take 1rst and 3rd in National Skanska Competition!

On January 17, two teams from the BYU Facility & Property Management Program earned top awards from an annual competition put on by Skanska, a leading construction company in the United States.

One of the teams consisted of Mike Allsop, Kirk Howcroft, Bryan Jolley, and JP Andersen (shown in order from left to right). Their team earned first place in this competition, which included a cash prize of $4,000. Their team addressed the issue of designing the ideal emergency department and healthcare facility that could respond to an infectious disease outbreak disaster. They came up with an innovative hospital design that would have the competence and aptitude to manage airborne pandemics. Their solution was an ingenious, mirror design template that can be applied to new hospital construction. Their hospital design utilizes a creative air supply system as well. This system uses 100% fresh air (instead of the average of 20%) and thus, effectively removes contamination from the air.

The other team consisted of Daniel Smith, Justin Bohon, Daniel Hunter, and Sam Kelly (shown in order from left to right). Their team took third place in the competition and earned a $1,000 cash prize. The issue that their team addressed was that of considering the design of the ideal patient-room and how to incorporate that design into new and existing hospitals. Their solution was an innovative and ideal patient room that, when implemented, will make hospitals much more hospitable. Their research and final presentation included a rendered floor plan of the patient room, the aesthetic capabilities, the technology features, the included services that this design has, the elements of green building that it incorporates, the environment considerations, safety, and different perspectives of this ideal design.

Both teams expressed gratitude and enthusiasm for the chance to have had this experience to compete. Although no university class credit was received for competing, both teams eagerly expressed that they would participate in this competition again in a heartbeat. Both teams wish to articulate their appreciation to Skanska once more for this wonderful opportunity to learn and to have had such a great time in this event!