Local construction and design industry professionals assessed student progress in an innovative building design challenge. On Thursday, December 15, these 22 professionals gave students in Kirkwood’s United States Green Building Council (USGBC) student organization advice and guidance as they complete their designs for the inaugural Sustainable Housing Experimental Project (SHEP).
The SHEP criterion revolves around innovative and highly sustainable building design and construction, in building a house. Students are encouraged to think outside of the traditional building designs, materials and construction practices. “Students have worked diligently to find innovative materials in their quest for new design and construction practices,” said Kirkwood Assistant Professor Joe Greathouse.
The industry professionals, representing areas of design, structure and services, assessed and guided the design choices by the students. Students shared their designs in an intense 20-minute rotation through the three over-arching areas.
“The opportunity for collaboration with industry professionals was extremely beneficial,” Korrey Mayland, an Architectural Technology student said. “We were able to demonstrate our designs and received helpful insights. Anytime we can work directly with people who are already looking at sustainable building, it really helps point us in the right direction.”
Matt Krieger, an architect with Neumann Monson Architects said, “The opportunity Kirkwood presents these students is remarkable. Designing and building a green home is not just the most comprehensive educational project, but a personally rewarding experience that will help shape these students’ lives and the communities in which they live.”
Kirkwood Construction Management and Architectural Technologies faculty members are developing a learning laboratory for the constructed SHEPs, with the intent is to design and construct a new SHEP each year, continuing the level of experimental learning. The SHEPs will be housed on-site for students to test things such as energy efficiency, material compatibility, building envelope and durability of materials.
“Currently, 49 percent of the energy we use in the United States powers our buildings, with too much of this wasted through inefficiency,” said Sheila Samuelson, sustainable business strategist with Bright Green Strategy. “We already know how to design and build drastically more efficient building systems that are safe and comfortable, while using a fraction of the energy – and the technology is proven. It’s my hope that these students continue to consider these efficient methods to be the norm, not the alternative.”
Students will continue to meet asthey finish their designs and construction begins. The first SHEP is expected to be built by the end of the spring semester.