ACE Mentor Program of Alabama

ACE Mentor Program of Alabama

ACE students this year have taken on a national design competition. Since the start of the 2011-2012 program, students, with the help of dedicated mentors, have been working very hard on their design projects. 5 groups are designing a waterfront park, an “out of the box” parking deck, and a history museum for the Birmingham area. A lot of work remains, but as always, ACE students will succeed! See Page 4 for project details.

ACE Stats

55 students from 16 different area schools have been accepted for the 2011 – 2012 program

• Center Point High School (Jefferson County – 4 students)
• Central Park Christian School (private – 1 student)
• Clay-Chalkville High School (Jefferson County – 3 students)
• Gardendale High School (Jefferson County – 1 student)
• Holy Family Cristo Rey Catholic High School (private – 4 students)
• Hueytown High School (Jefferson County – 1 student)
• Jackson Olin High School (Birmingham City – 10 students)
• John Carroll High School (private – 1 student)
• Minor High School (Jefferson County – 2 students)
• Mortimer Jordan High School (Jefferson County – 1 student)
• Parker High School (Birmingham City – 3 students)
• Pinson Valley High School (Jefferson County – 1 student)
• Ramsay High School (Birmingham City – 17 students)
• Sumiton Christian School (Private – 1 student)
• Tarrant High School (Tarrant City – 3 students)
• Wenonah High School (Birmingham City – 2 students)

 

• ACE of Alabama has given out over $67,000 in scholarships since 2006
• By participating in the program, ACE students are also eligible for National ACE scholarships. 
• On average, ACE of Alabama awards 5 to 7 scholarships to deserving seniors, ranging from $500 to $3,500. In 2011, the ACE Alabama board raised $22,000, allowing the program to award 9 deserving students scholarships from ACE of Alabama for a total of $12,000
• Meetings are every other Thursday from 4:30 – 6:30, September through May, at various offices in the downtown area
• If you would like to host a meeting, please contact Danya Humaideh at acementoralabama@gmail.com
• For more information about ACE Mentor Program of Alabama or to get involved, please contact Cale Smith, cale.smith@edtinc.net or Danya Humaideh, acementoralabama@gmail.com or visit http://www.acementor.org/679.   

ACE Alabama Board
Nolanda Bearden – NHB Group
Nick Dill, ACE Alabama Chair – Robins & Morton
Stephen Franklin – Brasfield & Gorrie
Creig Hoskins – Hoskins Architecture
Danya Humaideh, Program Coordinator – ACE Mentor Program of Alabama
Michael Kassouf, ACE Treasurer – Kassouf & Company CPA
Lea Ann Macknally – Macknally Ross Land Design
Keith Owens – MBA Structural Engineers
George Pierce – ABC of Alabama

Active Mentors:

• Robby Austin – Williams Blackstock Architects
• Sarah Harper Baggett – Capstone Interiors
• Andrew Bryant – Design Initiative
• Cameron Buchina – EDT, Inc.
• Taylor Cleveland – Jackson Renfro
• Emily Coe - Williams Blackstock Architects
• Jeremy Cutts - Williams Blackstock Architects
• Garrett Goodman, Mentor Coordinator - Williams Blackstock Architects
• Virnetta Greene – Brasfield & Gorrie
• Rebecca Hewiett – Capstone Interiors
• Laura McAllister, Meeting Coordinator – GMC
• Juan Milhouse – NHB Group
• Katie Owens – GMC
• Carmen Preston, Meeting Coordinator – GE
• Bill Segrest – AG Gaston Design
• Cale Smith, Student Coordinator – EDT, Inc.
• Dewayne Thomas – Eco-Spec
• Katy Thomas – Lathan Associates Architects
• William Thomas – Walter Schoel Engineering
• Jimmy Walker – Brasfield & Gorrie
• Samantha Wilson – Lathan Associates Architects

Supporting Firms/Organizations:

• AIA Birmingham
• Alabama Power
• ALAGASCO
• ArchitectureWorks
• Auburn Urban Studio
• Brasfield & Gorrie
• CRS Engineering
• Davis Architects
• EDT, Inc.
• Forstall Art Supply
• Lathan Associates Architects
• Regional Planning Commission of Birmingham
• Macknally Land Design
• Robins & Morton
• Williams Blackstock Architects

2011 – 2012 Schedule

CIRT DESIGN COMPETITION AWARD PROGRAM 2012 PROJECT/OPTION CHALLENGES OR RFP’S
List of Project Options/Challenges (select one RFP for the competition):
A Parking Garage Outside of the Box One of the realities of urban life is the necessity for “parking garages” to provide a convenient accessible place to store vehicles. Given that the individual vehicle will remain, for the foreseeable future, as a major source of transportation, the question becomes can one design a parking garage that is outside of the “box” with alternative or multiple uses? Designs may challenge any element of urban parking (underground, exterior, interior, multi‐layer, ground level, shape, colors, material, smell, sound, ramps, signage, limits, etc.). Urban parking is in need of a renovation. Ideas must challenge current perceptions of urban parking and offer a tougher, sleeker, multi‐purpose, or even playful rendering of it. [The structure may be of your own dimensions and sited on a plot of your choosing, but these decisions should be fully explained and in keeping with the overall budget and resources that are likely to be attracted to such a project. A square foot estimate is required].

Waterfront/Riverside Park
Besides offering extensive and inviting green open space, a Waterfront/Riverside Park should be developed as an eco‐park learning experience. Utilizing renewable energies and an intelligent park management system, the Park should play a pivotal role toward a successful overall development of the town/city/community it serves. To this end, this design competition option challenges you to create visionary and innovative planning and landscaping proposals that either redevelops an existing park area or creates one along a major waterfront/riverside site. The final proposal should also contemplate a mixed use development comprising of residential, office and retail space, as well as the new public realm/landmark. [The park may be of your own dimensions and sited on a plot of your choosing, but these decisions should be fully explained and in keeping with the overall budget and resources that are likely to be attracted to such a project. A square foot estimate is required].

History Museum
This design/construction option challenges you to create with the use of materials, construction elements, and design decisions the “ideal” history museum. The museum may house locally significant historical events or personalities, be thematic in nature (e.g., colonial period, western expansion, etc.), or event specific (lunar landing, 911, milestone anniversary of an event – 150th Civil War, 100th—WWI, etc.). The basic parameters include: meaningful exterior and entrance area. It should be compelling, recognizable, functional, and relevant to the surrounding community or locale. An interior space that conveys a sense of place: it should be welcoming and promote exploration and narrative. Flow should be intuitive. Pre‐function events space and retail space are also critical resource areas for the museum and should be integrated seamlessly into the overall flow of the museum. The total project area for this challenge is 50,000 square feet. The construction budget is set at $15 million, including contingencies. Use of materials, building techniques, and approaches that emphasize sustainability, energy efficiency, and recyclable eco‐friendly products as well as being equipped with the latest smart building technologies should be integral to the design proposal.

TIMELINE
Those ACE Affiliates that wish to participate in the national competition must comply with the following time schedule:
March 16, 2012 – All entries must be submitted to the CIRT national office in Washington DC. [8115 Old Dominion Drive, suite 210, McLean, VA 22102]
April 2, 2012 – Finalists are notified and plans are made to bring a representative(s) from each group to Washington, DC. (The expenses for one student and one mentor representing each of the three finalists will be reimbursed).
April 13, 2012 – On or about this date, mentors and students will need to have made their hotel reservations in DC. [The finalists will be notified with precise hotel information at the time of their selection].
May 1, 2012 – Finalists present to the CIRT Panel of Judges (early to mid‐morning). The panel of judges vote to determine the order of finish. The winner will be announced and presented to all attendees at the CIRT conference.

Click here for photos: Rail Road Park!