After a long week, an 8 AM Friday morning call time would seem early, but you wouldn’t think it from the enthusiasm and energy that everyone brought with them, some even showing up half an hour early to the build site.
Part of ELAC USGBC Club’s mission is to bring awareness, not only to issues of sustainability, but to issues or adequate, healthy, and affordable housing; which is why ELAC USGBC Club partnered with Habitat for Humanity Greater Los Angeles to do their part in bringing awareness to this issue for World Habitat Day.
“World Habitat Day is the one day set aside annually to recognize the basic right of all humanity to adequate shelter, and to encourage grassroots action toward ending poverty housing.”
ELAC USGBC decided that for World Habitat Day 2014 they would participate, hands-on, in the construction of a Habitat for Humanity single family home located in Lynnwood, California.
Part of ELAC USGBC Club’s mission is to bring awareness, not only to issues of sustainability, but to issues or adequate, healthy, and affordable housing; which is why ELAC USGBC Club partnered with Habitat for Humanity Greater Los Angeles to do their part in bringing awareness to this issue for World Habitat Day.
“World Habitat Day is the one day set aside annually to recognize the basic right of all humanity to adequate shelter, and to encourage grassroots action toward ending poverty housing.”
ELAC USGBC decided that for World Habitat Day 2014 they would participate, hands-on, in the construction of a Habitat for Humanity single family home located in Lynnwood, California.
(Back Row: Israel Zepeda, Miguel Avila, Koni Tsai, Erick Reyes, Michelle Lee, Robert Gomez, David Montes. Front: Leticia Ramos, Diana Cordiel, Rocio Montano, Victoria Cuan, Heidi Marquez, Marysol Vida, Luz Paredes. Not Pictured: Helga Quiles)
The morning started with an introduction to the site by Monica de Real of HfH, followed by a safety briefing by Gabriel and Kyle, HfH contractors that would be guiding us through the day. Aside from making clear the safety objectives for the day, they really drove home the point of taking pride in the work we would be doing, and after getting to know each other a little better, and finding out everyone’s comfort level with heights, assignments were handed out. Our group of ELAC volunteers was split into two, one of which would work in the interior and the other up on the roof.
(Kyle and Gabriel during safety briefing)
“Habitat for Humanity was a great experience. I always wondered how working in construction would be and now through Habitat for Humanity I know how it feels. It was tough but I enjoyed every moment. Having hands on experience helped visualize the plans we worked on in our drafting class. I would recommend anyone to volunteer in such a project.” -Rocio Montano
Conditions couldn't have been better for the day’s activities. With cloud covered skies up above and hammers, drills, and saws in hand the club was hard at work on various tasks ranging from mounting and securing plywood pieces for the roof, and installing shear walls, to securing ceiling joists and even a little painting. Being that the majority of the days volunteers are architecture students at ELAC ensured that everyone would be prepared to accomplish their tasks, not only efficiently, but accurately as well.
As an added benefit to ELAC USGBC Club, every Habitat for Humanity home is also a “Green” or LEED accredited home.
“Green Building elements [improve] the affordability and sustainability for homeowners and the communities in which they live. Green Building means addressing certain core elements during the stages of planning, design, development and construction.”
Some of the practices involved in building a LEED home are by using recyclable building materials, energy friendly green siding, thermal pane windows and doors, recycled carpets among others. This experience is particularly beneficial to ELAC USGBC Club, as pursuing LEED certification is a goal of club members.
As an added benefit to ELAC USGBC Club, every Habitat for Humanity home is also a “Green” or LEED accredited home.
“Green Building elements [improve] the affordability and sustainability for homeowners and the communities in which they live. Green Building means addressing certain core elements during the stages of planning, design, development and construction.”
Some of the practices involved in building a LEED home are by using recyclable building materials, energy friendly green siding, thermal pane windows and doors, recycled carpets among others. This experience is particularly beneficial to ELAC USGBC Club, as pursuing LEED certification is a goal of club members.
The practical application of the skills and lessons learned at East Los Angeles College were on display and shining bright at ELAC USGBC’s Build day with Habitat for Humanity. The group received much recognition for its hard work and for bringing, and maintaining, a fun and positive attitude while completing the goals that had been laid out for the day. Not only was this a great learning opportunity on the skills needed to build a house and the process of LEED construction, but it was an opportunity to contribute and give back to the community, not just locally, to the family to which this home would go to, but also to a bigger community in which we are all a part of, one in which we hope to service by bringing attention to the need for sustainable, healthy, affordable housing. ♦
-R.G
-R.G
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