Article Contributed on: 3/19/2009 11:12:47 AM
Students in the architectural drafting class at Sheridan High School will have an opportunity to present their home design skills during a competition March 20.
Students will present their architectural drawings that include floor plans, elevation and plot landscaping to professionals in the building and architectural field. The design selected will be built in the city of Englewood.
As part of the architectural drafting class, students under the direction of woodworking and drafting teacher
Forrest Davis, will submit their floorplans to a committee:
Steve Ozburn, housing rehab construction specialist for the city of Englewood;
Susan Martin, Arapahoe/Douglas career and technical school comprehensive building trades instructor;
Kelly Smith, AIA for Roth and Sheppard Architects;
Rod Laing, Owner of Primary Real Estate Brokerage and
Antonio Andrade, a former Sheridan student who is now an architecture student at the University of Colorado, Boulder.
Andrade's design was selected in 2004 and the house was built near Grant Street in Englewood. The house selected this year will be the seventh to be built in the Wesley and Zuni area. The city of Englewood finances the building materials, hires contractors and sells the house to an individual buyer.
According to Ozburn, the selected design is reviewed by a planning committee at the city. A final decision usually takes a couple of weeks. Ozburn then supervises the construction process. Framing and Interior trim is done by students. Electrical, plumbing, painting and drywall is completed by contractors.
"It's very interresting. You get all kinds of ideas. We try to keep the budget within the market of the particular area of the city where we are building. Houses usually sell for more than $220,000," Ozburn said.
Ozburn said the proceeds of the house sale go back into the program.
"People think we make a profit, but we usually sell the house for less than we have in it. We may lose a bit, but it's worth it because the intent of the program is education," Ozburn said.
Dee Davis, Sheridan High's career and technical education director, said the program has been in existence for 18 years.
"The judges will get a copy of each student's plans. Students will have five minutes to discuss their design with the use of a Smart Board. There will be two minutes for questions," Dee said.
Although the class has held as many as 15 students in years past, student
Kyle Scott said, "Mr. Davis said we're a small class, but the best," he grinned.
All the students in the class are juniors
.
Michael Josich said he hopes to study architecture at CU Boulder after he graduates. Scott wants to go to Colorado School of Mines and work toward a structural engineering job.
Caleb Kissell said he was leaning toward architecture or business.
Kelsey Spishock said she hoped to study accounting and
Adrian Villarruel said he was interested in an architectural career.
The prerequisites for the architectural drawing class are a semester in the computer aided drawing class. The only guidelines for students was to design a tri-levl, three-bedroom home of 1,600 square feet.
Josich said one of the challenges was meeting deadlines. Most of
the student designs entailed an open floor plan. Accents such as open balconies, window seats and an office space were included.
Scott said, "This opportunity should be open to other schools. It will give other students the chance to become architects or engineers."
Dee said when Forrest obtains his credentials for career technical education, the school would apply to be included in the Arapahoe/Douglas Career and Technical School which offers training programs to students in Cherry Creek, Douglas County, Englewood, Littleton and Sheridan school districts.
Forrest was excited about the talent the students displayed.
"These kids are awesome, They make me look good," he said.
More info
For more information about Arapahoe/Douglas Career and Technical School, visit www.actsinfor.org or call 303-797-5080.
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