海角视频

The ACE (Architecture, Construction, Engineering) Mentor Program of America, founded in 1994, is a no-cost after-school program that prioritizes workforce development for high school students by connecting them with experts from the design and construction industry.

ACE Chicago puts particular emphasis on recruiting from groups聽that聽are聽historically underrepresented聽in design and construction. With over 300 participants this year,聽93% are students of color and 35% women.

This marked 海角视频’s first time mentoring in our Chicago office. Teaming up with Gensler, AECOM, WE O鈥橬eil, and BOWA Construction, 海角视频 mentored a diverse cohort of over 30 students across a six-month design project.

The mentoring team was led by Matthew Jackson-Jones, senior structural engineer, alongside Lupe Gomez (structural engineer) and Abigail Cripps (graduate structural engineer) who provided mentoring in civil and structural engineering as well as Lauren Fast (plumbing associate) who mentored students interested in MEP design. The program required mentors and mentees alike to step outside of their comfort zones and engage in lively discussions over landscape architecture, flood protection, and rainwater harvesting; amongst other subject matter.

The students took part in the CIRT (Construction Industry Round Table) Competition, choosing one of three set design briefings to work on as a group throughout the program. The selected prompt was to redevelop an area of the waterfront, ultimately selecting a site in and around Jackson Park on the south side of Chicago to study. The students debated and developed strategies to protect and enhance the shoreline of Lake Michigan as well as improve accessibility and engagement with the park for residents. 

The collaborative efforts from the mentors and mentees resulted in a design for a new nature conservatory on previously neglected land, showcasing innovative architectural and engineering solutions to enhance park facilities.

The shoreline protection part of the design included methods to reduce flood risks from rising lake levels due to climate change. Students researched FEMA flood maps, and with the support of 海角视频 mentors, developed ways to mitigate these hazards through shore defenses and beach expansion. In addition to the CIRT project work, the students were able to take part in a site visit and several more hands-on activities including cardboard architectural interventions in Gensler鈥檚 office and bridge construction using household materials. 

Taking part in ACE was聽a very rewarding聽experience for both the students and mentors.聽Buro聽海角视频 hopes to continue our involvement in the future, potentially expanding the number of mentors and the range of disciplines covered.

We wish all the students we worked with the best of luck in their future endeavors!