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Gresham Smith and Carnegie Mellon: Shaping the Future of Design and Engineering

Gresham Smith is thrilled to announce a new formal partnership with Carnegie Mellon University (CMU), a collaboration that promises to revolutionize the engineering landscape. This union, aiming to address important challenges in the design industry, seeks to combine the expertise of seasoned professionals with the innovative spirit of budding engineers.

Partnership Goals

In the context of this partnership, Gresham Smith professionals will engage with students from CMU’s prestigious Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering. Together, they will explore advanced design principles, address emerging trends, and ultimately foster innovation within the engineering sphere. Mike Sewell, the Director of Innovation at Gresham Smith, emphasized the importance of this collaboration, stating, “Carnegie Mellon has a world-class engineering program, and we are thrilled to partner with their brilliant faculty and students to tackle some of the critical issues our industry faces.”

The Inaugural Hackathon

Kicking off this collaborative effort will be a hackathon scheduled for February 2026 at Gresham Smith's headquarters in Nashville. The event, taking place during Engineers Week, will assemble cross-disciplinary teams from CMU and Gresham Smith to work on pressing engineering challenges impacting the built environment. The two primary focus areas of this hackathon will be Data Center Sustainability and Next-Generation Energy Delivery.

Data Center Sustainability and Resiliency

As the demand for data continues to accelerate, so does its environmental impact. The hackathon will challenge teams to design site infrastructure wisely, addressing both water and energy grid limits to better serve communities. This exploration aims to develop solutions that mitigate the ecological footprint of data centers while meeting growing demands.

Next-Generation Energy Delivery and Support

With rising expectations for reliable energy solutions, participants will delve into flexible, innovative strategies to address the increased grid demands. Solutions are expected to revolve around enhanced energy delivery systems that align with future requirements, ensuring that technological and infrastructural advancements can accommodate progress without compromising on sustainability.

Academic Integration and Future Research

In addition to addressing immediate challenges, this partnership paves the way for further academic research on these vital topics. Students will engage with subject matter experts, present their proposals, and contribute to ongoing studies that could lead to breakthrough innovations in engineering practices.

Burcu Akinci, the Head of Civil and Environmental Engineering at CMU, reinforced the significance of this collaboration by saying, “At Carnegie Mellon, we value hands-on, real-world experience for our students. Partnering with Gresham Smith helps us advance solutions to some of the most pressing challenges in our industry.”

Recruitment and Lasting Connections

This partnership not only facilitates academic collaboration but also serves as a bridge connecting students with industry opportunities. Gresham Smith plans to partake in recruitment and networking sessions with CMU students, fostering a pathway for new talent in the engineering field.

About Gresham Smith

Gresham Smith is a renowned architecture, engineering, and consulting firm that provides a wide range of solutions to both private and public-sector clients. With an impressive annual revenue of $355 million and 27 offices nationwide, the firm operates across eight strategic sectors including aviation, healthcare, and environmental planning. Recognized globally for its innovation and workplace quality, Gresham Smith remains committed to its core mission of creating thriving communities through authentic ingenuity.

Discover more about their initiatives at GreshamSmith.com.