MSU to Hold Integrated Practice Symposium

STARKVILLE, Miss. (Press Release) — Mississippi State University will host the Integrated Project Delivery Theater to showcase the effectiveness of teaching integrated practice to architecture and construction students.

The MSU College of Architecture, Art and Design is hosting the Jan. 29-30 symposium at Giles Hall. The School of Architecture and the building construction science program, in cooperation with the Architecture and Construction Alliance, are sponsoring the learning opportunity.

Advance registration for the free, two-day symposium is recommended at http://caad.msstate.edu/wpmu/ipdtheater2015/.

“Integrated practice is a process whereby owners, architects, builders and engineers collaborate from the inception of a project through the completion of it, often with the goal adding value to the process,” said Michele M. Herrmann, MSU assistant professor of building construction science.

Organizers are encouraging not only third- and fourth-year MSU architecture and construction students to attend, but also students and faculty members from other institutions of higher learning, she said.

“Participants will take part in a series of interactive vignettes that address how integrated project delivery, or integrated practice, differs from more traditional project delivery methods,” Herrmann explained. “We hope the vignettes will provide students with a context that will make the integrated project-delivery principles more understandable.”

Featured speakers include the project team responsible for the commission, design and construction of the New Orleans BioInnovation Center, a LEED gold building:

–Jose Alvarez, American Institute of Architects member, LEED AP-certified, project architect and principle with the 2014 AIA Firm of the Year Eskew+Dumez+Ripple.

–Kevin N. Overton, LEED AP BD+C-certified, senior project manager for Turner Construction Company.

–Brian Bozeman, LEED AP-certified, executive director at ADAMS Management Services.

Also, MSU educators experienced in integrated practice will present. Along with Herrmann, assistant professor Emily M. McGlohn, AIA associate member and LEED AP-certified, and associate professor Hans C. Herrmann, AIA member, National Council of Architectural Registration Boards member and LEED green associate, will share their knowledge.

They will lead problem-based learning activities and illustrative visual and verbal presentations to help participants better understand integrated project delivery.