This award demonstrates the high level of academic achievement of Reynolds students. The competition was open to students, amateur and professional architects and engineers. Michael and Charles competed against students from colleges and universities from across the state, as well as professional architects.
Sponsored by the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development, Blueprint for the Future required participants to design a home that meets strict affordability, sustainability and accessibility criteria. The competition had two phases: Phase I involved meeting project and housing specs, and creating a site plan and drawings and Phase II required entrants to submit a design suitable for obtaining a building permit. Winners of Phase I advanced to Phase II.
Speaking with Michael just before the Phase II deadline, he credited Adjunct Faculty in Reynolds School of Business Alan McMahan with prompting him to enter the competition. Whether or not he wins Phase II, Michael said, “The experience was great. I learned a lot about working with a partner on a project and designing for practical use and affordability. We also had to read and comply with a wide array of project requirements, as well as standards and codes. Perhaps most important, we got real-world experience in designing a project that may actually be built.”
Director of the Virginia Department of Housing & Community Development Bill Shelton noted Michael and Charles’ designs, “included aspects of energy efficiency and aging in place not typically found in affordable homes.”
In addition to being a full time student, Michael currently works part time as a Gallery and Facilities Assistant at the Branch House Museum and as an embedded tutor at Reynolds. He plans to graduate in May 2018 with an AAS in Architectural and Engineering Technology with an emphasis on contemporary technology for design before continuing his education and earning a Bachelor of Architecture degree.
Again, our congratulations to Michael and Charles for their accomplishments and to the faculty of the Architectural and Engineering Technology Department for their academic excellence. We wish Michael and Charles all the best in completing and submitting their Phase II plans.
