CAEM students win national design-build competition
(From left) faculty adviser Dean Papajohn, Lily Trenkamp, Lauren Johnson, Reuel Florendo, Kenadee Carruthers and Macie Balkan react to the announcement of the team’s win.
Students from the University of Arizona took home the first place award from the Design-Build Institute of America’s national competition, held in Dallas. The CAEM students, known as the Cardinal Design-Build Team, made this the university’s fourth consecutive finish in the top three of the competition.
The team — Macie Balkan, Kenadee Carruthers, team captain Reuel Florendo, Lauren Johnson and Lily Trenkamp — worked with CAEM professor of practice Dean Papajohn.
"Winning as an all-female team was a powerful reminder of what can be achieved through collaboration, determination, and diverse perspectives," Johnson said.
Johnson also won the award for best individual presenter for her "poised and engaging delivery."
The DBIA National Design-Build Student Competition provides a rigorous introduction to the complexities of real-world project delivery. In 2024, 30 teams from 22 colleges and universities across the nation entered the competition, each tasked with solving a real-world-inspired challenge using design-build.
“This competition is more than an academic exercise — it’s a chance for students to step into the world of design-build professionals,” said DBIA Executive Director and CEO Lisa Washington. “It’s an invaluable opportunity for them to demonstrate their creativity and collaboration in high-pressure, real-world conditions.”