UT Austin Architecture Brigade January 2013

Start Date: Jan 7, 2013 11:59 PM
End Date: Jan 13, 2013 11:29 PM

The Architecture Brigades BUILDing Health Competition came to a close February 29, 2012 after an intense selection process. Architecture students from across the country competed to design a permanent and sustainable professional health care center that could house a full-time nurse, and provide examination rooms for visiting doctors, dentists, and surgeons. The site is located on donated land near the town center of El Canton, Honduras. After the work was presented to the Mayor and citizens of El Canton, a vote was taken and UTSOA\'s Design Submission was chosen from among 15 other entries! The community and in-country Global Brigades team will break ground on the project the second week of March.

Architecture Brigades volunteers from UT Austin will spend 7 days doing construction on large projects, such as schools and health centers, that will provide health and education infrastructure to benefit entire communities in rural Honduras. On the brigade, students will learn about the necessity of the project, the justifications for the structure\\\'s design, and a variety of local construction techniques. Depending on what point during the construction process they make their brigade, students have the opportunity to participate in a variety of construction processes, from foundation work to wood framing to detailing, and everything in between. Volunteers do not need prior building expertise for the brigade, as they will be working alongside skilled masons who will guide students on proper building practices and safety precautions during building, while also educating volunteers of the use of local materials. In addition to the construction aspects of the brigade, volunteers will be given the chance to create and host an interactive education lesson for members of the local community. The ages and demographics of the audience may vary, and the education topics cover basic concepts of architecture and design. Combining the efforts of both the construction and educational aspects of the brigade, by the end of the week volunteers on the UT Austin Architecture Brigade will be able to see the impact have made in the community!