One of the innovations that made this year’s project unique was the addition of client consultations. In the past, each pair of designers had traditionally role-played the parts of designer and client, but this year students were required to meet with adults from outside class who, “have some significant expertise in the field for which the complex is being designed.” Mr. Fidler emphasized that this new approach, “creates a very different air and gives the project a much more professional feel.” For example, Morgan Hearne ’19 and Nhan-Ai Tran ’20 met with Mr. James Bailey, the Department Chair for Visual and Performing Arts, to brainstorm the design for a new Performing Arts Center. Luckily, Morgan has had several years of experience as a stage manager for Justin-Siena musical productions in the Lincoln Theater which provided him with the scope and perspective needed for a large venue as well as a strong sense of what is needed for large and small theatrical productions. When asked what his favorite part of the project was, Morgan responded, “modeling the building in Revit.” Revit is an architectural and structural design software that allows multiple contributors from different disciplines to collaborate, workshare, and save designs.  Morgan also pointed out that “even though I’ve worked on many shows for the Theatre Department there were numerous facets of theatrical production that I hadn’t considered in the overall design.” He went on to add, that is was his client, Mr. Bailey, “who pointed out, everything from fly space, to curtains, wings, and catwalks, as well as lighting, sound, dressing rooms, and prop, set, and costume storage must be included in the overall design.” Having met with their client twice, the team of Hearne and Tran have delivered their second detailed drawing for a Performing Arts Center. Mr. Bailey also mentioned that “it’s critical to take into account the needs of music and dance recitals. Rehearsal studios are essential to the off-stage preparations that culminate in an onstage performance.”

Another massive undertaking was the architectural design of a Student Life Center. Sumir Hayer ’19 and Bodie Upson ’20 teamed up to create a unique design for this ambitious undertaking with Dean of Student Life, Mr. Stan Cordero, acting as their client. Mr. Cordero laughed when he recounted, “At our second meeting after we had a preliminary consultation about wants, needs, measurements, and functions, we discovered that we had forgotten to include bathrooms!” When asked why he volunteered to be a client for this project Mr. Cordero responded, “When Chris Fidler invited the faculty to participate I was struck with how much of a real life, real-world project it is and what a wonderful educational opportunity it would be for the students to engage a client, hear their dream, and make something concrete out of it. I believe that being a servant to a vision is a very good life lesson. Besides, I have never had the chance to work with engineering students before, and like judging robotics this year, it gave me a chance to see some of the other aspects of our curricular life that I am not very familiar with.”

When asked about the functionality of a Student Life facility Mr. Cordero shared that it would allow more dedicated spaces for, “Freshman retreats, class meetings, a couple of classrooms for the leadership classes, possibly doubling as additional  religious studies classrooms, and storage rooms for the myriad stuff that student life accumulates.” He went on to point out that the facility could also house communal office space for the student life team, “everything from student executive board to student class council and student clubs.” Student designers, Bodie and Sumir, commented that they “really wanted to do something that would directly affect the quality of student life on campus.” To enhance the visibility and centrality of the complex Mr. Cordero and the student designers discussed marking the building with a steeple and calling it The Brother James Miller Center, named after the heroic champion of social justice who was martyred in Huehuetenango, Guatemala in 1982 and has been cleared by Pope Francis for beatification in December of 2019. Brother James was repairing a wall at the De La Salle Indian School when he was approached by three men, who shot and killed him. It is thought that he was killed because the Brothers were relentless in their efforts to keep their indigenous students from being conscripted into the military. Mr. Cordero added that he thought the designation, “would allow students to know more about the current Lasallian heritage and to further inspire the social justice element of the Lasallian core principles.”

Director of Communications, Eileen Mize, volunteered to work as a client with Mia Vlaming ’19 and Dante Cavaz ’20 on the design for a Braves Media Center. Vlaming stated, “When presented with different design ideas, the idea of The Braves Media Center resonated with us as an intriguing, fun and much needed addition to the Justin-Siena campus. With great enthusiasm, our client Ms. Mize, “helped brainstorm and guide our project. When interviewed Ms. Mize said, Because of her role as Director of Communications, Ms. Mize has a keen vested interest in all aspects of the proposed center. She observed that the center might include, “a broadcast space, for audio and video daily announcements, an opportunity for students to be on both sides of the camera. A sound studio to allow the choir to record and mix concerts and CDs. A classroom space for yearbook, lit mag, or campus publications that would allow graphic design, web design, social media, and journalism and,” to accommodate the recent comeback of 35mm photography, “a dark room for developing photographs.” Ms. Mize added, “it was just fun to dream with them about what is possible. They were remarkably thoughtful, knowledgeable, and professional! I told our President, Mr. Holquin,” she added with a huge grin, “that we should totally build this building!”

Dante pointed out that another aspect Ms. Mize discussed with us was, “an archive actually showcased in the entryway of the building that exhibits memorable works created by past classes as a way of sharing and preserving our Lasallian history.” Ms. Mize remarked that she was, “really impressed with how thorough and skilled the designers were—taking into account all the logistics of building codes as well as the aesthetic in terms of allowing for natural light to boost creativity within as well as inviting exterior landscapes that would also serve as a place for students to gather and socialize. She added how exciting it was to see Mr. Fidler tasking his students with such a meaningful ‘real world’ experience.” Vlaming added that “Our building has several energy-efficient characteristics, and anticipated sustainability, such as large windows designed to create more efficient and natural lighting. We also planned the use of L.E.D. lights and low flush toilets.” Another aspect of the project that really stood out for both students was, “learning more about landscape engineering. The incredible thought and work necessary to create a visually appealing, functional, and eco-friendly outdoor space and landscaping design.”

Chris Burghout, Instructor of Religious Studies, responded to Mr. Fidler’s call and volunteered to be the client in the design of a new chapel for the Justin-Siena campus. Working with designers Etienne Robin ’19 and Sicheng Guo ’20 Mr. Burghout commented, “I was thrilled when Etienne and Sicheng contacted me and asked if I could meet with them to discuss the design of a new chapel right here on campus. After seeing their initial drawings I was really impressed with how responsive they were to my suggestions about moving the meeting rooms and the sanctuary to make the space as functional as possible.” Etienne went on to say, “Our design for the chapel, after several discussions with our client, incorporated many features of Mediterranean churches, and in contrast to the modern buildings on campus, a Mediterranean chapel can easily stand out and attract attention from visitors. A chapel is expected to show solemness and respect to God, and its appearance must be a forceful, direct reflection of such sentiment. Therefore, we designed a steeple and two bell towers, so that people can see these features even from a distance.” When it came to the interior space Sicheng observed that “a straight aisle leads people from the main entrance to the altar, symbolizing the road of salvation, and an indoor fountain contains holy water for baptism.”

Some of the great assets of collaboration with an adult client were the insights Mr. Burghout offered about both the current and future uses of the chapel. As Etienne points out in the final design proposal, “The main function of the chapel is, by its nature, for religious assemblies, but our client also envisioned the chapel to be an ideal place for alumni weddings,” creating a stream of revenue that would allow “the chapel to eventually pay for itself. In order for the chapel to function as expected, in our design, we made sure that the chapel can support the entire school population (approximately 585 people), to which the majority of space in the chapel is devoted. By the two sides of the chapel, we have ministers’ meeting rooms, a groom’s room, and bride’s room to meet the needs of wedding parties.” When asked about a career path that hadn’t been considered before undertaking the project the designers remarked, “The job as a site planner was discovered during this project. The major responsibility of a site planner is to incorporate the building into its surrounding environment. A site planner has to consider the effect that local climate, quality of soil, or natural disasters might have done to to the building, in other words, site analysis. Then, based on this knowledge, the planner can design roads or landscaping near the building.”

Mr. Fidler concludes that “the biggest feeling of success, other than seeing great quality buildings and designs, which I always get, is the feedback from the faculty who played the roles of clients, especially when they tell me how professional the kids were and how much fun they had with the project.” Chris went on to say, “it’s a great compliment when excited faculty and staff get back to me and say, ‘What these kids have to offer is amazing!’” He confesses, with a broad smile, that he really likes this response because “I want those faculty members to volunteer to be clients next time I teach this class.” Ideally aligned with the Lasallian educational philosophy of delivering a practical education, our young civil engineers are creating viable designs that serve the visions and dreams of their clients and community by enriching our resources and bringing the future to life. Another great example of “Entering to learn, and leaving to serve.”