SHS Architecture Students Sweep Awards at Design Competition

The Home Builders & Remodelers Association (HBRA) of Central Connecticut recently held its 71st annual Student Design Competition at the Connecticut Home & Remodeling Show at the Connecticut Convention Center March 2nd–4th, 2018.

Simsbury High School (SHS) students from the Technology and Engineering Education Department Advanced Architecture courses presented their designs and scale models at the Connecticut Home & Remodeling Show. Simsbury High School students won first, second, third, and fourth place. Senior Bailee Cota won first place, along with a $2,500 award; junior Elizabeth Crimmins won second place, along with a $1,350 award; junior Meghan Stepka won third place, along with a $300 award; and junior Evan Bologa won 4th place, along with a $100 award. A panel of HBRA members, including local architects and contractors, served as contest judges.

Said Dr. Wendy Ku, SHS Technology & Engineering Education teacher, “It is truly amazing to watch these students go through the design process when they design their houses in class. They were very dedicated to the design process. This year was very exciting because we have never won over four awards at this competition. The students are very happy, and we are very proud of them.”

According to the CT Home Show website, the Home Builders & Remodelers Association of Central Connecticut sponsors the Student Home Design Competition for students in grades 10-12 that are enrolled in design or drafting courses in public and technical high schools across the state. To compete in the HBRA student design competition, the students must design and submit floor plan designs on presentation drawings and build a scale model of a 3-bedroom, 2,000 square foot home that meet specific criteria. The students must also include three National Association of Home Builders Model Green Building Guidelines.