Architecture students create, display educational wall mockups

Third-year architecture students created and, on Thursday, presented their final projects: physical mockups developed from the best-drawn wall sections created using SketchUp design software.

"A great experience it was," said Rob A. Wozniak, associate professor of architecture, whose 18 students in his Detailing & Applications class (BSD 340) were divided into three teams.

One group was challenged to build a wood-stud wall that would meet minimum current code insulation requirements, while a second team was tasked with meeting the same regulations with a metal-stud mockup. The third group was assigned to build a wall mimicking a passive house designed by architect Richard Pedranti and built in Scranton.

The various materials and methods were labeled in the educational displays, and each wall model had to be "compressed" to roll through a standard classroom door opening.

"The biggest takeaway was that most students did not have any construction background as they were challenged to have their drawings come to life using various tools and building materials," Wozniak said. "With this valuable experience, they mentioned that they could benefit from more opportunities to bridge their architectural knowledge with construction."

Several members of the building construction faculty and staff – Garret L. Graff, assistant professor, instructors Scott A. Bierly and Barney A. Kahn IV; and Matt Deming, lumberyard, equipment repair and carpentry attendant – sat in on the presentations, as did Caleb A. Line, makerspace technology facilitator; and Jessica U. Oberlin, assistant professor and librarian, information technology initiatives.