E-Studio

LAEP 4040, E Studio/Entrepreneurship in Planning and Design, gives students a unique opportunity to find the transformative power of planning and design. This communications intensive course positions students for professional practice by competing in state and national competitions. Competitions require an extra level of clarity of concept and communication.

Spring 2019 brought exciting opportunities for those enrolled. Associate Professor Todd Johnson led students in a variety of competitive entries. A new competition was found this year, the Beebreeders Skyhive competition. This competition called for ideas that change the way we think of skyscrapers. Students Emily Daybell and Connor Hillman created a 400’ tall “Salt Tower located on Antelope Island,” aimed at creating a Center for Global Water Research. Emily and Connor focused on ways to reduce consumption of water in the West. Their Salt Tower would provide a center for researchers, scientists, and visitors from around the world who are on the forefront of water research. It would also create a place for the public to learn about how water is being used/misused and how they can make a positive impact.

Another team focused on the tragic historical events of the Bear River Massacre. The Bear River Massacre Interpretation Center project was to tell the story of the

Shoshone Indians who lost 300+ men, women, and children in this tragic event. Senior Jennifer Coats said, “Working on the Bear River Massacre Interpretation Center project, along with GSBS Darren Perry and the Shoshone tribe, has been a phenomenal opportunity. Being able to visit the Commemoration in January allowed us to immerse ourselves in a culture that we were unfamiliar with.” LAEP students were able to construct a design that both told the story of the Shoshone tribe, and led visitors through an immersion experience. David Garce (BLA 1980), current principal with GSBS in Salt Lake City, assisted in mentoring the students.

The Utah Real Estate Challenge was once again a focus of the E-Studio course. The Utah Real Estate Challenge competition is an intercollegiate real estate development competition, where students have the opportunity to prepare and present a real estate development plan to a panel of expert judges. Todd Johnson promoted this year’s competition to focus on a project in Logan, Utah. Kurt Altvater (BLA 1981) provided mentorship advice to a strong team consisting of Madison Pong, Braden Miskin, and Survier Castillo. USU’s team presented an amazing plan for the Emporium property in downtown Logan. These E-Studio students took home a third place prize and $5,000 prize for their efforts.