Jun 22, 2018 _ news

Breaking Ground in Bond Hill

Ben Barlage has been working with students at Woodward Career Technical High School this summer as they construct a 1,200 sf, two-bedroom home in Bond Hill alongside industry professionals. Sponsored by the Spirit of Construction Foundation, the project broke ground at 1203 Ryland Avenue on May 25, 2018. Ben worked with the student team to study the lot and design an ADA compliant dwelling. Part of the foundation’s “Constructing Pathways to Careers” initiative, the summer build project bolsters the training Woodward students get in the classroom with hands on field experience. Filling the ranks of skilled tradespeople is a critical issue for the AEC industry. “When you spend time in a job site construction trailer you can see there aren’t enough trades–carpenters, electricians, concrete workers– for the amount of work,” says Ben, whose great, great grandfather graduated from Woodward in 1868. “A project can easily be held up by a workforce shortage.”

The students hope to have the home completed by September 2018. Proceeds from its sale will go toward next summer’s build, a four-bedroom home on the same lot.