Deadline: June 3, 2019 00:00 CEST| Apply here
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Eligibility: Teams must consist of two to six students

Applied Engineering Challenge 2019

The 2019 Setty Family Foundation Applied Engineering Challenge (AEC) is intended to stimulate student-led groups to find engineering solutions for designing self-sustaining, interconnected communities.

How can infrastructure be designed so as to be resilient and self-sustaining?

As communities around the globe are displaced and/or rebuilt, the opportunity arises to consider an intelligently designed community that does not rely on external support and offers a sense of community to the resident population.

Building design should be approached with the needs of the community in mind, with considerations made beyond the scope of the individual building.

How do buildings within a community connect with each other and work together to offer livable space for the population?

What are the needs of a community disconnected from the outside world?

Design a self-sustaining community that includes essential amenities (utilities, police, fire protection, schools, healthcare, housing, etc.).

Designs should address the unique needs of a population not connected to larger grid infrastructure. The submitted design should include details on how facilities and systems within the community interact with one another and incorporate innovative technology to best serve the population.

How can infrastructure be designed so as to be resilient and self-sustaining?

The team should consider the climate and scarce resources of the location as well as existing effects of previous development and/or environmental contamination, as applicable, to create a plan that promotes wellness.

Designs should also account for resiliency and preparedness for natural disasters.

Designs should accommodate a community of 5,000 people on the island of Vieques, Puerto Rico. The community will be limited to 13 km2 (5 mi2).

The community will need onsite power generation, water and sewer treatment facilities, and agriculture as it is not able to depend on the outside world for consistent resources.

Prizes

Awards will be presented to the winners at the 2020 ASHRAE Winter Meeting to be held in Orlando, Florida, USA as follows:

• First Place: $5,000 prize plus the entire team will receive free transportation and two nights’ lodging (capped at $5,000) to attend the 2020 ASHRAE Winter Meeting to be held in Orlando where the award will be presented at the ASHRAE Plenary.
• Second Place: One representative from the team will receive free transportation, two nights’ lodging at the 2020 ASHRAE Winter Meeting to be held in Orlando where the award will be presented at the ASHRAE Student Program.
• Third Place: One representative from the team will receive free transportation, two nights’ lodging at the 2020 ASHRAE Winter Meeting to be held in Orlando where the award will be presented at the ASHRAE Student Program.
• Rising Star: One representative from the team will receive free transportation and two nights lodging for attendance at the 2020 ASHRAE Winter Meeting to be held in Orlando where the award will be presented at the ASHRAE Student Program.

Interested in applying for the Applied Engineering Challenge 2019? Register your participation by following the application link and taking the suggested steps.

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