Hello longtime readers and new readers of the HyggeHaus blog! Yes, you! The Building and Construction Technology (BCT) Program is asking for your help during UMassGives to raise funds for the Design-Build Program that has made this semesters build possible. If you are a first time reader, feel free to check out the the work we have completed so far in the posts below.
This project is a collaboration between BCT, Architecture, Five College Architectural Studies Program, and East Branch Studio, with L. Carl Fiocchi leading it from our program’s side. I would also like to give a shoutout to our sponsors 475 High Performance Building Supply, Eco Buildings Bargain, Graham Electric, and John Thomas Plumbing and Heating for their outstanding support.
Our team has been busy building the first of what will hopefully be many dwellings that – after completion – will be made available to affordable housing associations and others. For students, this offers an amazing hands-on opportunity to learn about the various aspects of high-performance buildings and construction. Specifically, it teaches about construction practices, low load mechanical systems selection and installation, performance verification, and carbon accounting. I am a senior in the BCT major at UMass Amherst who has had the pleasure of participating in this project, in addition to writing the blog alongside coauthor Lia Douillet. This has hands down been the best academic experience I have experienced in my four years here. The BCT courses I have under my belt are enlightening as is, but the opportunity to apply this knowledge in the field is something I would recommend to all my peers. The whole team has enjoyed witnessing the fruits of our labor ripen, and it will only get better throughout the years.
We are hoping to raise funds during UMassGives in order to support this project for future years. Gifts from our community of alumni, friends, faculty, parents, staff, and students will help us get there!
Please join us in this important effort and inspire the generosity of others by sharing on social media! Thank you!
Learn more about what we do in BCT: https://bct.eco.umass.edu/ and stay tuned with our blog to see the completion of the HyggeHaus in the next couple months!