The Design Drafting Competition is a contest designed for Senior High School and College level students. The contest provides recognition to students for creative design, successful problem solving and craftsmanship in preparing architectural drawings.
Entries are evaluated for detail, accuracy and originality of work. Objectives of the contest are to introduce the student to the construction industry in a positive and challenging manner, while fostering a sense of self-worth and building confidence.
Mentoring programs between students and educators are also encouraged. Each local sponsor is furnished with a “Design Problem” that is designed by a licensed Architect or Engineer and is generic enough to meet the needs of all areas of the US and our international affiliates.
Project drawings must include a minimum of:
- a floor plan
- exterior elevation
- site plan and placement of structure
National winners receive prizes.
1. DD3A – Checklist & Contact Info
2. DD3A – Sample Introductory Letter to School
3. DD3A – High School Division Application Form
4. DD3A – College Division Application Form
5. DD3A – Sample Press Release
6. DD3A – Sample Request for Financial Sponsors
7. DD3A – Sample Acknowledgement Letter to Contestants
8. DD3A – NAWIC School Participation Mid-Year Recap Form
9. DD3A – NAWIC School Participation Annual Recap Form
10. DD3A – NAWIC High School Participation Statistical Data Recap Form
11. DD3A – NAWIC College Participation Statistical Data Recap Form
12. DD3A – NAWIC Chapter Administrator Competition Critique Form
1. DD3B – Checklist and Contact Info
2. DD3B – NAWIC Regional Participation Mid-Year Recap Form
3. DD3B – NAWIC Regional Participation Annual Recap Form
4. DD3B – NAWIC High School Participation Statistical Data Recap Form
5. DD3B – NAWIC College Participation Statistical Data Recap Form
6. DD3B – NAWIC Regional Administrator Competition Critique Form
1. DD3C – Individual Level Sponsor Checklist & Info
2. DD3C – Sample – Intro Letter to Schools
3. DD3C – Sample – High School Division Application
4. DD3C – Sample – College Division Application
5. DD3C – Sample – Press Release
6. DD3C – Sample – Request for Financial Sponsors
7. DD3C – Sample – Acknowledgement Letter to Contestants
8. DD3C – Mid-Year Participation Report
9. DD3C – Annual Participation Report
10. DD3C – High School Participation Statistical Data Recap Form
11. DD3C – College Participation Statistical Data Recap Form
12. DD3C – Sponsor Competition Critique Form (submit to National Chair)
Design Drafting FAQ’s
A question regarding paper size was asked:
Question: Can sheets be printed on C size paper if it fits? I know the rules state D size sheet but was trying to save paper if at all possible.
Answer: Thank you for your great questions and we appreciate the efforts to save paper, save trees – and we will keep this in mind for future competitions. However, we must make sure that all packages have similar formats to be fair – so please stick to D size as stated in requirements.
Question: There are two floor plans to the project and sheet A-2 is to be the “floor plan”. What sheet is the 2nd floor plan to be placed, included on A-2, or it’s own separate sheet like maybe A-2b?
Answer: A-2B will be acceptable. However, this may determine printing on size C or D paper.
Attached are CAD version 2018 as well as 2004 for whichever versions schools are using.
This a good learning lesson for the students to create their own conceptual site plans if only a pdf of the site plan is available. (You would not do this for construction documents!)
The student will INSERT and then ATTACH the supplied PDF into model space and then SCALE it up to match the ‘real world’ scale. This allows the student to trace over the information needed for the site plan – like the property lines, etc. and get it pretty accurate.
It teaches students to be resourceful and learn some handy tricks in the CAD environment ! If the teachers do not know how to do this, they can email NEF or see this link from the Autodesk Knowledge Network (no log in required).
This information applies to most versions of Autocad – even back to 2004.
RFI clarification on Sheet A-5 Building Section:
Please make the Wall Section Scale ½”=1’-0”
Design Drafting Title Box
Coding Details:
Year …………Example – (19-20) (use 20)
Region ……..As shown on NAWIC Region map
GREAT QUESTION! We did not define what the memorial should look like as the Owner is looking for great ideas. Digital media and/or physical media can range from videos to sculptures, walls, or other symbolic gestures…the sky is the limit. Think about other memorials you have visited and the variations in the way items are displayed and managed. The archival space is intended for non-public access and will be used for long term storage of documents, objects that can be rotated or kept for future use. This will also serve as storage of items that may be donated and displayed in a planned rotation at the Visitor level. The second floor Archive will be accessible only to key staff. However, if a student wishes to propose another use for the archival space – it can be described in the design narrative and/or partially illustrated by using an additional drawing sheet as an alternative layout.
Another great question and yes there is wiggle room. The design program is a guide but not necessarily the end all solution. See additional “Technical Talk” on building codes for plumbing below. Accessible toilets must be designed for any newly construction/renovated public facility.
CODE and Technical Design Talk
Any second floor would be small and for staff use ONLY. Therefore, an elevator may be cost prohibitive and it is not required.
The Design Drafting competition is currently distributed through various high schools and colleges across the United States. If the student is submitting work outside of the classroom, the student may wish to engage a teach or professor in design responses. Any competition package not following the guidelines and rules will be disqualified.
Any competition package not following the guidelines and rules will be disqualified. Individual entries only.
The fencing provides vital security AND enhances the high-security military site ambience. Your design can ‘evovle’ what this fencing looks like as long as it still meets the City of Cleveland zoning ordinance for fencing which is available to look up online.
As much as that would be amazing aesthetically, we do not want to disrupt sight lines AND the ground near the pier either. Nor is it stable for permanent construction.
All parking lots shall remain unchanged.
The purpose of the USS Cod Visitor Center is to provide a classroom/multi-purpose space with restrooms, an office, ticket/gift shop space and store room space within general confines of the design program.
All construction must be within the fenced area adjacent to the submarine, as close to the fence lines to the south and east as the setback regulations permit (5-feet).
Great question. See RFI for previously answered question that has been posted to the NEF website for more details.
Although such a design would be completely phenomenal, for example incorporating a submarine structure into an aquarium type environment and being able to see a cross-section of a submarine, the cost of such an endeavor would not be possible with this budget.
Although such a design would be completely phenomenal, for example incorporating a submarine structure into an aquarium type environment and being able to see a cross-section of a submarine, the cost of such an endeavor to build and maintain would not be possible with this budget. Keep up the creativity – the Owner would like a solution that he can possibly build.
The Design Drafting competition is currently distributed to high schools and colleges across the United States. If the student is submitting work outside of the classroom assignment, the student may wish to engage a teacher or professor in their design responses. Any competition package not following the guidelines or rules will be disqualified.
Any competition package not following the guidelines and rules will be disqualified. Individual entries only.
Creative design, problem solving and architectural skills for high school and college students.