The 2022 CIRT National Design and Construction Competition is now open! The Competition invites high school students in ACE Mentor Programs around the country to design, plan, and present comprehensive solutions to a complex, real world construction challenge. Submissions are due March 16, 2022, and are reviewed by a jury of industry professionals. The top three submissions will present their work to a jury to compete for the top prize of $5,000 (along with other awards). 

The 2022 Challenges respond to the real-world challenges and opportunities of the professional design and construction industry: (1) Design a sustainable city to encourage Urban Renewal, (2) Design a memorial of the future to enable gathering, reflection and knowledge sharing, and (3) Design any structure while innovatively applying the sustainable and carbon neutral properties of cement. This year’s inspiration quote from Harriet Tubman encourages teams to think -and dream- big: “Every great dream begins with a dreamer.”

Each year 50+ teams from across the country participate, building advanced skills and creating top-tier portfolio pieces for secondary education and professional experience. Students also gain fundamental soft skills – collaboration, creativity, self-regulation, communication – and an invaluable life experience, joining a growing network of ACE Mentor alumnus and competition participants.

The Competition is now open through the submission deadline, March 16, 2022 (11:59pm). Online registration and the project submission portal will be activated in January 2022. The preliminary Jury Review is planned for mid-March, with the announcement of the three finalist teams on March 28, 2022. The “Worthy Finalists”* will present in Washington D.C. on April 25, 2022 to a jury of industry professionals (pending COVID safety guidelines), where the top prize will be announced. 

All Competition information is available online at www.cirt.org/competition, including a downloadable PDF of the Competition Information Packet which holds more detailed competition rules.

The CIRT National Design and Construction Competition celebrates the innovations and contributions the design/construction community makes to the quality of American life, while understanding the issues and challenges the industry faces to deliver on this legacy. The Competition is maintained, coordinated, and judged by Construction Industry Round Table. 

*"Worthy Finalists" are named in honor and remembrance of Ed Worthy, who contributed to the success of the ACE Mentor Program for over 20 years.