Kickstarter

A multidisciplinary team of five students and an academic advisor will be representing Drexel University in the 2012 Chicago Mock Firm Competition as first time participants.  The student team consists of Monika Mickute (BSMS Architectural Engineering, Structral Concentration), Peter Matthews (BSMS Architectural Engineering, Structral Concentration), Thomas McGrew (BSMS Civil Engineering, Transportation concentration), Scott Macphearson (BS Civil Engineering, Structural concentration) and Jennifer Shin (BS, Architecture).  The team’s academic advisor, Louis DaSaro, is an Associate Professor of Architectural and Structural Engineering in the Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering department.  Professor DaSaro’s specialties include failure analysis, design of blast resistant structures and the design and implementation of green buildings.

The group needs funds in order to make it from Philadelphia, PA to Chicago, IL on May 4th, 2012 to compete in the competition.  In addition to participating in the competition, the team will be fulfilling Senior Design requirements for the Drexel University College of Engineering.  Requirements for both the Chicago Mock Firm competition and Senior Design have been synergized into a single skyscraper design.

The design project will involve engineering all aspects of the building including, but not limited to: site development, architectural features and the structural, HVAC, plumbing and electrical systems.  A strong design team hierarchy has been established and promotional materials have been developed for distribution.

Vector Collaborative will design and engineer a minimum of a 100-story tall, contemporary skyscraper.  This building incorporates modern design and construction while embodying traditional Chinese philosophies.