A team of Construction Science and Architecture students from the Gibbs College of Architecture made their mark on the national stage this week, earning third place out of 37 universities competing at the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) Student Competition, held during the International Builders' Show in Orlando, February 16-18, 2026.
The annual competition challenges university students to tackle a comprehensive, real-world construction and development scenario. This year's competition selected a location in Alabama, where teams were charged with selecting a lot, identifying a target consumer, and designing a home from the ground up. Beyond the design element, students were also required to develop a full sales and marketing plan, cost estimates, project schedules, a construction management plan, and a detailed financial analysis outlining how they would fund and ultimately profit from the venture.
The team was composed of students from the Construction Science (CNS) and Architecture (ARCH) programs, bringing together a range of skills and perspectives that represent the way real construction and design projects actually come together. The team was coached by CNS Assistant Professor Bryan Bloom.
Team members included Kendall Knighton, Kate Brigmon, Francesca Costanzo, Jared Schenk, and Matthias Wittenberg from CNS; Sasha Alexander, Chloe Bys, Natalia Koo Vinatea, and Carson Holmes from ARCH; and Barbara Garcia from END.
During the Spring 2026 semester, students in Interior Design Studio IV and Graduate Studio IV gained hands-on experience in educational facility design through a semester-long partnership with MA+ Architecture.
The Christopher C. Gibbs College of Architecture congratulates Dr. Tammy McCuen, Robert E. Busch Professor of Construction Science, on beginning her term as president of the Associated Schools of Construction (ASC), an international organization dedicated to advancing construction education through teaching, research and service.
Following years of contributions to the College’s research and strategic initiatives, Gibbs College shares that Associate Dean for Research and External Engagement Angela M. Person, PhD, will step down from her position at Gibbs College as she moves to Tucson with her family, effective June 30, 2026.
