The annual construction of the “Habit-Tech” home is underway! The team behind the construction of these magnificent annual projects are composed of the juniors and. seniors from the Carpentry, HVAC, and Electrical programs at Harford Tech.
While the project is still in progress, there is an intriguing process in the tedious work behind the scenes. For instance, for some of the materials, Mr. Svezzese (the main contractor and carpentry teacher) stated that he personally designs the frames for the doors and gets them custom made in Virginia from a private company. He isn’t the only member of the carpentry being productive, Svezzese’s students start the project with an analytical process known as the “takedown” analysis where measurements are put into effect to gather data for materials that are funded by the Habitat for Humanity organization. Additionally, Mr. Ross of the Computer Aided Design and Drafting program states “if major changes are made to the blueprints from the year prior, the CADD program will assist with drawings.” Electrical and HVAC both also have a similar process for gathering materials that are appropriate for the job, consisting of measurements and the use of basic mathematical equations.
The HVAC program is responsible for work that includes setting up heat pumps that are responsible for transferring heat from a cold space to a hot space, duct work that assists with AC and heating exiting through vents installed all throughout the Habitat home.
Electrical work is a huge undertaking as well, with our electrical students being responsible for planning and wiring all the electricity that runs through the house. Students are busy installing outlets, switches, lights, and panel boards that are responsible for receiving power from a utility company and being able to distribute it throughout the house.
It takes around 1-2 years for this project to be completed, and there is a progress check that is held once every two weeks during the process of building the home. Once the project is completed, the portable house is then transported by the Habitat for Humanity organization of Susquehanna to a location that needs an affordable home. This home is then finished on site by contractors that help finish the servicing for electrical, plumbing, and any other finishing touches that are required for the service of the home.
Technically it’s the students
We can all agree that it’s “tech-nically” the students that build it at Tech. Jokes aside, the students put an immense amount of effort into the project and apply knowledge from their core classes into the project as well. Mr. Bonomo (teacher of the HVAC program) adds “It’s a great experience for the students to get live hands-on training and offers them life skills in not only your trade but also in community interaction.” Another great point, not only book knowledge like math and science are applied but also soft skills like communication and teamwork are in play as the students show their technical expertise and also give back to the community.
The students also get a chance to experience the responsibility of leadership for their own respective sides of the project. Carpentry has one student from their class that is given a highly visible orange vest and given the responsibilities of a manager where they get to see what it’s like to oversee a team of workers and be Mr. Svezzese’s right hand; the vest is given to a new student every week. In the electrical program, one student is chosen one to have very similar responsibilities, to oversee the work and guide others. This role is more permanent and lasts throughout the duration of the project, the student that is chosen is given a highly visible yellow vest. Mr. Schwartzman (teacher of the electrical program) also adds,“It’s a very worthwhile project that allows students to utilize their skills on a project that’s authentic.”
FUN FACTS
The Habitat home is LEED certified (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design), the only high school to earn this award
The Habitat home has won several awards in the past years, one on an international scale that made it selected as one out of 85 worldwide, YES WORLDWIDE!
The Habitat homes have been built almost annually for nearly 20 years!
Mr.Schwartzman says that Habitat for Humanity came to Harford Tech for the idea of the project and since Harford Tech was looking for something authentic, they took the opportunity! That leads us to today where the construction for the project is still thriving.
