Students from N.C. State University were winners in a statewide design competition to create an affordable and sustainable Habitat for Humanity home. N.C. State University, first place winner of the N.C. Sustainable Building Design Competition, will have its design built by three N.C. Habitat for Humanity affiliates (Catawba Valley, Chatham County and Orange County). This winning team will represent North Carolina in the U.S. Green Building Council, Emerging Green Builder National Design Competition in Denver, Colo. N.C. State’s team of five received $5,000 in winnings.

In moving toward house construction, the student team, team faculty and mentors, Habitat affiliates, designers, architects and others gathered in Raleigh for a Design Charrette on May 2. The winning design was transformed into working plans to be used by each Habitat for Humanity affiliate. Construction will begin this summer.

Knowledge acquired from the competition is implemented into the design and construction industry as students transition into their careers. The N.C. Sustainable Building Design Competition Program intends to expand the number of participating schools within North Carolina and the region to become a model for influencing the design and construction workforce. The competition is administered by Advanced Energy, (a Raleigh-based non-profit that works to maximize the state’s use of energy), and coordinated by the Triangle Emerging Green Builders, (a part of the Triangle U.S. Green Building Council Chapter).

This year’s Design Competition was held on April 22 at the N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences in conjunction with their Earth Day event. Thousands of public visitors gained insight into simple ways to improve their own homes.

Teams from Cape Fear Community College were awarded second and third place. Two teams received honorable mention, Appalachian State University and Cape Fear Community College. The Founders’ Award went to Appalachian State University. Other participating schools were Coastal Community College, College of Albemarle, East Carolina University, Forsyth Technical Community College and N.C. A & T. Teams from a Belarus-based school exhibited their work as the Competition’s first international entrant.

Among the NCHBA members that sponsored the competition were DUke Power, Orange County Habitat for Humanity, Progress Energy and ElectiCities.