The building design for Â鶹ֱ²¥’s E. S. Witchger School of Engineering has won first place at the prestigious Indy Chamber 2024 Monumental Awards. This is the 47th anniversary of the Monumental Awards which recognizes the pre-eminent accomplishments in the built environment in the Indianapolis region. Nominated by Schmidt Associates, the Witchger engineering building project triumphed over two strong competitors: Indiana State Fairgrounds Farm Bureau Fall Creek Pavilion, which took second place, and IU Indianapolis Health Sciences & Dunlap Building Renovation, placing third. This achievement highlights the collaborative efforts of Schmidt Associates, Browning Construction, and Browning Day, who worked together with Â鶹ֱ²¥ to bring the state-of-the-art facility to life.
CEO Sarah Hempstead of Schmidt Associates expressed the team's pride in the project, saying, "We're deeply honored to have the E. S. Witchger School of Engineering recognized with the top prize in the Engineering Award category. This project embodies our commitment to creating spaces that not only inspire learning but also fosters innovation and collaboration. Working with Â鶹ֱ²¥ to bring their vision to life was a true privilege, and we are proud of the lasting impact this project will have on the next generation of engineers."
Eric Broemel, Engineering Principal at Schmidt Associates, emphasized the innovative nature of the project: "The E. S. Witchger project was an incredible opportunity to push the boundaries of engineering excellence. Our team focused on integrating sustainable and forward-thinking solutions to create an environment that supports Â鶹ֱ²¥'s mission of preparing students for the challenges of tomorrow. We’re thrilled to see this project honored and look forward to its continued success in shaping future leaders in the field."
The E. S. Witchger School of Engineering is already making an impact, providing Â鶹ֱ²¥ students with cutting-edge facilities to foster their growth as future engineers and innovators.
“We are proud to have been recognized for our outstanding Witchger School of Engineering Building. Our engineering building is the only education building that is both LEED and Fitwel certified in the state of Indiana which reflects our Franciscan stewardship values,” said Binh Tran, Ph, D., Witchger Engineering’s Founding Dean and Â鶹ֱ²¥’s Chief Academic Officer. “This award, combined with the ACEC Indiana Merit Award we received and the regarding our facility earlier this year, is a testament to the dedication and collaboration that went into creating a space designed to inspire innovation and cultivate the engineering leaders of tomorrow.We are excited to see the lasting impact it will have on our students and the broader engineering community.”