Our talented Ball State University students proudly represented the College of Architecture and Planning at the 2025 PDC Summit Student Design Challenge in Atlanta, Georgia.

In this intense 48-hour healthcare design challenge, they teamed up with students from Drexel University (Engineering), Purdue University (Construction Management), the University of Florida (Nursing), and Georgia Tech (Architecture). The result? A dynamic, cross-disciplinary collaboration tackling real-world healthcare design issues.

The challenge focused on designing an EmPATH Unit—an expansion of the Behavioral Health Emergency Department at Grady Memorial Hospital. This experience broadened our students’ perspectives on interdisciplinary collaboration in healthcare design, sharpening their skills in teamwork, design thinking, and problem-solving under pressure.

1st Place – #TeamConnectivity
Ayobami Illori and his team for their outstanding teamwork and innovative approach in securing the top spot!

2nd Place – #TeamElevate
Emmanuel Adjei Ayim and his team secured the 1st Runner-Up spot, demonstrating excellence in healthcare architecture and design.

Kudos to Richard Bassimah and Olumide Oguntolu, who represented Ball State as part of other competing teams, showcasing their skills and dedication throughout the challenge.

This transformative experience would not have been possible without the support of ASHE, Grady Memorial Hospital, PDC Summit sponsors, and all the organizers. A special thank-you goes to Dr. Shireen M. Kanakri and the team of advisors, whose guidance and encouragement played a vital role in the students’ success.

For our student participants, this challenge was more than a competition—it was an opportunity to engage deeply with healthcare design and to witness the power of interdisciplinary collaboration. The insights gained in Atlanta will undoubtedly shape their professional journeys as they continue to innovate, inspire, and create a better built environment for the future.