by Anna Bobbitt

In week 9 of our semester, we worked on fine tuning and unifying our CAD drawings. Monday of this week (3/31) was spent listening to a fantastic lecture from Lia Douillet, a HERS rater. We learned about HERS – Home Energy Rating System – and the softwares used to get the rating. HERS is a great tool to quantify the energy and carbon usage of a functioning home and for understanding what kind of energy sustainability a household has. In Massachusetts the minimum HERS rating for new construction is 42 for a fossil fuel based build, and 45 for an all-electric. There are more sustainable standards that, when met, are rewarded by Mass Save with energy efficiency incentives. As a HERS rater, Lia assesses new builds at the halfway point for construction and at completion. She then gives the home a set of scores that combine to get the HERS rating.

Our HERS and BEAM (software to measure embodied carbon) team were able to meet with Lia to get some deeper insight on the software while the rest of us met to present our work up to that point. For this meeting, and the past week, we have mostly been focused on nailing down a floor plan. Or, at the very least confirming enough of it that the section, elevation, and interiors team can start to line up some of their work with the general layout of the home. We discussed some proposals for the floor plan and determined some ways for the teams to work directly to ensure effectiveness and collaboration.

On Wednesday of this week (4/2) we enjoyed another lecture, this time from Carl Fiocchi on MEP (Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing) systems. We focused mostly on the history of residential heating and cooling systems as well as what the numbers are for carbon usage and CO2 emissions. We also looked at the intended heating and cooling systems for the build which is a very simple unit built into the wall framing that focuses on efficiency and lots of fresh air flow.

After the lecture, the floor plan and interiors team met to nail down two different options for the floor plan. The basement stair will be on the NE side of the building with the bathroom across the hall and the bedroom in the SE corner to maximize natural light. The kitchen-living took up most of the conversation with one option including a U shaped kitchen in the SW corner and the other with a linear kitchen on the North wall. We are still working on creating a balance between entry, kitchen, dining, and living space but with some fine tuning I think we will have some great options. We were also introduced to a new organization and collaboration system with specific file naming and cross referencing so we are all working on cohesive CAD documents. We closed the week with some updates from all the teams and action steps moving forward. Especially looking at the deadlines for the window schedule and BEAM numbers!

by Marvelous Akande

It is Week 6 of the 2025 DesignBuild. This week was a significant milestone for our class as we had the opportunity to present our housing ideas to the client. Throughout the week, we refined our concepts, received feedback, and prepared for the big review.

Monday: Discussion, Desk Review, and Final Preparations

Following this, we had a desk review session with our professor. Each group presented updates on their progress, reviewed the key requirements for the upcoming client presentation, and continued refining their designs. This session allowed us to align our work with project expectations, address any lingering questions, and make final adjustments before the big presentation

Wednesday: Client Presentation at Holyoke Housing Authority

The highlight of the week was our visit to the Holyoke Housing Authority office, where we met with our clients, Damaris and Pedro, along with a few professionals in the field. Each of the four groups presented their unique housing concepts, showcasing different ideas and design approaches. The client provided thoughtful feedback, which will guide the next phase of our work.

What’s Next?

After spring break, our class will shift from working in separate groups to collaborating as a whole. Using the feedback from Damaris and Pedro, we will consolidate our ideas into a single house design that best meets the needs and wants of the client.

By Krashang Giri Goswami

This week in Design Build Studio, we started with a discussion on The Modern American House: Spaciousness and Middle-Class Identity (Isenstadt, 2006)—a reading that made us rethink what “home” really means. The idea of the small house has always been more than just a response to space constraints; it’s a reflection of cultural values, economic policies, and personal identity. In mid-century America, small homes were designed to project efficiency, stability, and a sense of belonging. But what happens when we step outside of that historical framework and design for real people, with real stories—like Pedro and Damaris?

That’s where things got exciting. We split into teams of four, each tasked with developing a unique take on their future home. And let’s just say, no two houses looked the same. Some teams leaned into the familiar—a classic gable roof, a layout that felt intuitive, warm, and traditional. Others pushed for something bolder, testing out modernist forms that played with asymmetry, angles, and dynamic spaces.

Concepts ranged from homes that blend seamlessly into the surroundings to ones that make a statement, challenging conventional ideas of what a small house should look like. The best part? Every single design had Pedro and Damaris at the center, ensuring that these weren’t just exercises in aesthetics, but real proposals rooted in their needs and preferences.

As we wrapped up our in-house presentations, the energy in the room was high. Seeing the sheer variety of ideas made us even more excited about the next step—presenting the options to Pedro and Damaris next week. Their feedback will shape the direction we take moving forward, and we can’t wait to hear their thoughts. Stay tuned for next week’s update—because this house is just getting started!

by Jacob Agoglia

by Ivy Ackerman