Constructing storage buildings certainly ‘shed’ light on the fundamentals of building design and construction, but there is no substitute for building a real house.
That’s why Capital Region BOCES Career & Technical Education Center – Schoharie Campus students are building a tiny home this year in an initiative that is slated to expand to the Albany Campus next year.
Students in Matt Hitchcock’s Building Trades program on the Schoharie Campus started work recently on the 24-foot, by nearly 12-foot house. The house is expected to be completed in April.
“This project brings it all together for the students,” said Hitchcock. “They started with the blueprints, developed a materials list, and now we are working on framing and roofing. They will move into insulation, flooring next—there will be plumbing with a full bathroom.”
Electrical Trades students will also be involved in the work, wiring the entire house with outlets and light fixtures.
Offered on the Albany and Schoharie campuses, the Building Trades program provides students with valuable construction industry experience through on- and off-campus projects as they prepare for careers in the industry. Past projects include the construction of sheds, furniture, fencing, signs and outbuildings. This is the first house students will construct as part of the program.
Hitchcock said his Building Trades students used the blueprint skills they learned earlier this year to design the homes and the class voted on which architectural plans to construct.
Senior Marc Becker crafted the winning design and during a recent class was framing the house.
“It’s a lot of fun to see something you designed come to life,” said the Cobleskill-Richmondville High School senior. “It’s fun working with my friends and building this and bringing it from paper to reality.”
Classmate and Schoharie High School senior Jacob Doherty concurred.
“This project helps you really focus on what it takes to build a home. You have to be more precise with your cuts because someone will be living in this house one day.”