Macomb Community College students and the local community are benefiting from the second year of a partnership between the college and Macomb County Habitat for Humanity.
Macomb’s second Habitat for Humanity Architectural Design Competition provided an opportunity for the college’s architectural technology students to design a house for a future Habitat for Humanity building site. Later this month, two dates are planned for Macomb College students, faculty and staff to help build Habitat homes based on a house designed during last year’s Architectural Design Competition.
“This is a practical use of the skills students learn as part of the Residential Drafting & Design class,” said Gary Azbell, faculty member and organizer of the competition.
The winners of the 2008 design contest are:
• Steven Sekol, Clinton Township, first place
• Tracey Parry, Clinton Township, second place
• Jo Lewandowski, Eastpointe, third place
• Doug Halm, Harrison Township, fourth place
• Suzanne Scoville, Detroit, fifth place
The first-, second- and third-place finishers received prizes of $500, $200 and $100, respectively. In addition, the first-place design will be used to build a future Habitat for Humanity house in the area. The competition was paid for using funds from a Venture Grant from the Michigan Campus Compact, which Macomb received prior to the 2007 competition.
“Macomb Habitat is thrilled to partner with Macomb Community College. It is very exciting to take a student’s vision and make it the dream home of one of our partner families.” said Karan Bates-Gasior, program director at Macomb County Habitat for Humanity. “We are always exploring potential partnerships and are happy to count on Macomb as a partner organization.”
In total, 21 students submitted entries, which were judged by three local architects, a local construction contractor and a representative from Habitat.
During the Macomb builds planned for later this month, the homes built will come from plans developed from the winning 2007 design competition entry, submitted by Brandon Cook of Roseville. Macomb Habitat plans to build a total of seven homes in 2008, two of which will utilize Cook’s design.
Volunteers from Macomb will assist in building a Habitat home on June 25 and 28. More than 1,000 volunteers from around the community work with the local Habitat chapter during the construction season.
Macomb Community College (www.macomb.edu) is one of the nation’s leading community colleges, providing learning experiences to more than 59,000 students annually. Macomb nationally ranks in the top two percent in the number of associate degrees awarded and as the largest grantor of associate degrees in Michigan. The college’s comprehensive educational programming includes pre-collegiate experiences, university transfer and career preparation programs, bachelor degree completion and graduate degree programs, workforce training, professional education and certification, and continuing education and enrichment opportunities.
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Media Contact: Dan Heaton
586.445.7271
e-mail: heatond@macomb.edu