Saint-Gobain Architecture Student Contest: U.S. Winners to Compete Internationally
Last week, Saint-Gobain North America, through its building materials division CertainTeed, hosted the U.S. national stage of the Saint-Gobain Architecture Student Contest. The top honor was awarded to Alexander Davidson Caroll, Magnolia Moskun, and Huiyun Qiu from the Rhode Island School of Design for their innovative project focused on revitalizing the Nord Isère region in southeastern France. Their design reimagines an abandoned school in the village of Chimilin as a versatile community space and proposes a new residential development near the Grands Ateliers, a hub for architectural experimentation and prototyping.
Established in 2004, the Saint-Gobain Architecture Student Contest targets university students studying architecture, engineering, and building design. The competition encourages participants to demonstrate their technical skills and creativity by developing projects that address real urban or neighborhood challenges, all while embracing Saint-Gobain’s commitment to sustainable building practices. This year’s contest saw participation from more than 1,360 students forming 546 teams representing 211 universities.
The U.S. round took place at the American Institute of Architects’ offices in New York City, where teams vied for the opportunity to represent the country at the international competition in Lyon, France, this June. A panel of distinguished judges—including Yorgo Lykouria from RainlightSTUDIO, architect and former NYC Building Department Borough Commissioner Elzbieta Skowronek, and CertainTeed’s Senior Manager of Architectural Sales Michelle Schutt—evaluated submissions based on criteria such as architectural innovation, technical and environmental details, construction methods, and material use.
Mark Rayfield, CEO of Saint-Gobain North America and CertainTeed, praised the high caliber of this year’s submissions, stating, “I am truly impressed by the creativity and quality of the projects presented in the U.S. round of the contest. Congratulations to all the participants for your innovative ideas. You are shaping the future of our industry and driving sustainable construction forward.” He also thanked the judges and expressed excitement for the upcoming international competition where Alexander, Magnolia, and Huiyun will compete.
As winners of the U.S. national round, Alexander, Magnolia, and Huiyun will travel to France in June alongside their professor Jonathan Knowles. There, they will join students from 32 other countries for the international phase of the contest, which includes expert critiques, city tours, and educational opportunities to enhance their architectural knowledge. The international winners will receive monetary awards of €5,000 for first place, €3,000 for second, and €1,500 for third.
Saint-Gobain operates over 160 manufacturing facilities across the U.S. and Canada, with every team member contributing to the company’s sustainability objectives. Those interested in career opportunities can find current job listings on the company’s official careers page.
Established in 2004, the Saint-Gobain Architecture Student Contest targets university students studying architecture, engineering, and building design. The competition encourages participants to demonstrate their technical skills and creativity by developing projects that address real urban or neighborhood challenges, all while embracing Saint-Gobain’s commitment to sustainable building practices. This year’s contest saw participation from more than 1,360 students forming 546 teams representing 211 universities.
The U.S. round took place at the American Institute of Architects’ offices in New York City, where teams vied for the opportunity to represent the country at the international competition in Lyon, France, this June. A panel of distinguished judges—including Yorgo Lykouria from RainlightSTUDIO, architect and former NYC Building Department Borough Commissioner Elzbieta Skowronek, and CertainTeed’s Senior Manager of Architectural Sales Michelle Schutt—evaluated submissions based on criteria such as architectural innovation, technical and environmental details, construction methods, and material use.
Mark Rayfield, CEO of Saint-Gobain North America and CertainTeed, praised the high caliber of this year’s submissions, stating, “I am truly impressed by the creativity and quality of the projects presented in the U.S. round of the contest. Congratulations to all the participants for your innovative ideas. You are shaping the future of our industry and driving sustainable construction forward.” He also thanked the judges and expressed excitement for the upcoming international competition where Alexander, Magnolia, and Huiyun will compete.
As winners of the U.S. national round, Alexander, Magnolia, and Huiyun will travel to France in June alongside their professor Jonathan Knowles. There, they will join students from 32 other countries for the international phase of the contest, which includes expert critiques, city tours, and educational opportunities to enhance their architectural knowledge. The international winners will receive monetary awards of €5,000 for first place, €3,000 for second, and €1,500 for third.
Saint-Gobain operates over 160 manufacturing facilities across the U.S. and Canada, with every team member contributing to the company’s sustainability objectives. Those interested in career opportunities can find current job listings on the company’s official careers page.
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