Role: Co-Captain and Design Lead

Medium: Laser-cut Balsawood & super glue

Overview: The Earthquake Engineering Research Institute holds a competition each year in which structural engineering students design buildings meant to withstand earthquakes while maintaining certain architectural standards. As co-captain of CU’s Seismic Design Team, I designed, modeled, and built the Perennial. Specifically, I led the design of the architectural form of the building while collaborating with our structural system team to create a cohesive design. Over my three years of involvement, I personally laser cut approx. 8,000 balsa wood pieces, which I assembled with the help of my team. We tested the structure in Portland, OR in 2018, and its innovative design allowed the structure to withstand simulations of the worst earthquakes predicted to occur in Portland. While we lost our 3rd place international ranking due to a technicality (dang that 0.1 lb. overweight base plate!), at least my teammates had a good time making me into a meme.

Awards: Almost 3rd :(

Date: 2017-2019