Sukkah Design Sprint
Sunday, Sep 28, 2025
8AM - 7PM
A cultural education opportunity for students of all majors and backgrounds.
Essential Information
Date and Time: Sunday, Sep 28, 8AM - 7PM
Location: FSU Innovation Hub - map it!
Open to all FSU students! No experience required!
Capped at first 50 students so register now!!
Student participants will work in interdisciplinary teams of five to design a temporary, walled hut called a Sukkah.
Participants will enjoy a cultural education based on the upcoming Jewish holiday Sukkot.
Participants will learn principles of Design and Design Thinking from campus experts
The winning design will be constructed on campus for the holiday.
Why Participate?
$1000 in prize money
Complimentary meals and snacks
Opportunities to make new friends
Learn valuable skills employers seek
Exercise your creativity
Winning team enjoys fame and recognition!
Skills and interests valued for this event:
Arts and design, engineering, communication, economics, cultural and religious studies, information technology, history, media and 3D design, management and facilitation
No experience necessary, every major is welcome!
Transform this unadorned Sukkah into a visual symbol of a meaningful theme of your team’s own design using Design Thinking. Pitch your design for a chance to win fame, fortune, and glory!
Your mission should you choose to accept it…
How might we inspire our campus community to be open to all cultures, while gaining insight about Judaism through the design of a sukkah structure, so that all students might feel safe and welcome.
Requirements and Specifications:
Materials Budget: $500
Interdisciplinary Teams of Five
After learning about Sukkahs, Design, and Design Thinking….
Step 1: Identify and document a unique theme, rich in storytelling, for your Sukkah
Step 2: Identify visual elements essential to your theme plan how to integrate them with the Sukkah
Note: You may use the walls and ceiling provided or build your own walls (ceiling optional) on the metal frame provided. *Lights not included. Table and chairs are included - seating for 12.
Design your brand around your theme
Shop for materials and build a list in a spreadsheet that includes items, quantity, size, price, and store link. Make sure you are under budget!
Develop a prototype of your Sukkah using drawings, photos, 3D software, physical models, any visual representation that you think best to show off your deisgn.
Craft your five slide, five-minute pitch in Google Slides.
A sukkah must have a floor space of at least 7 x 7 handbreadths and a minimum height of 10 handbreadths to a maximum height of 20 cubits. It requires at least two complete walls and a partial third wall, and the roof, or s'chach, must be made of natural, organic materials like branches or leaves, allowing light to filter through.
Judging Criteria
(50 points) Impact
How Innovative is the design?
How well does does the design satisfy the How Might We statement?
(50 points) Feasibility
Is the design affordable ($500)
Is the design possible to create?
Is the design weather proof?
Can the design be easily disassembled and reassembled?
Tentative Agenda
8:00 Breakfast
9:00 Welcome & Introductions
9:15 Presentation: Design Thinking Process Overview
9:30 Presentation: Sukkot History Sukkah Defined
9:45 Presentation: Design Insights, Approaches and
Requirements
10:15 Presentation: Judging Criteria Review
10:20: Teaming
10:30 Tour of Sukkah and site
11:00 Team Work
12:00 Lunch & Presentation: Prototyping/Pitching
1:00 Independent Team Work
4:00 Design Submissions Due
4:15 Pitches & Judging
4:45 Awards & Photos
5:00 Concludes
Hosts, Experts, and Judges
Brian Pelc, Director, Hillel
Ken Baldauf, Director, Innovation Hub
Jim Dawkins, Chair, Interior Architecture and Design Department
Terry Londy, Asst Professor, Interior Architecture and Design Department
Event Sponsor
Name Tag Competition
Vote for your favorite two name tags by “liking them” with a heart.
Participant Feedback:
Please share your thoughts about this Design Sprint using the Form at this location:
