Southeast Historic major, Stephanie Schwartz was selected to design the layout of the “Southeast Build” house for Habitat for Humanity SEMO Chapter.
Due to her minor in Architectural Design, Schwartz’s plan started in Fall 2009 when she was enrolled in Professor Bower’s Residential Architectural Draft class. Now a junior and a member of Habitat for Humanity SEMO chapter, Schwartz is ready to bring her design to life.
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Every Wednesday Schwartz walked from Towers to Polytech for her night class, held at 6 p.m. to 9 pm. One particular class period in September, Professor Bowers gave an assignment to design a floor plan for the next Habitat for Humanity SEMO Chapter house. Designing a floor plan has always been a required assignment, however Professor Bowers and Andrea Branum, a former graduate student who worked closely with Cape Area Habitat for Humanity, came up with the idea of having the project geared towards Habitat for Humanity. Immediately Schwartz was interested in the challenge.
“I knew I wanted to create the house that would be picked. I mean, how cool of an opportunity is that? These kinds of experiences don’t come around every day! I was extremely excited to get started,” said Schwartz.
Juggling regular school work and her new project, Schwartz finished her design months later. Branum and Professor Bowers picked the top four designs, including Schwartz who placed out of approximately 20 students.
At the end of the semester, Professor Bowers presented the top four designs to the class. He uploaded each layout onto the computer, projecting them onto the board in the front of the class. The plans were labeled, Plan A, B, C, D, and student names were kept confidential. Each student was asked to vote for their favorite design.
On Dec. 16, 2010 the winner was announced via e-mail. The votes were also posted, showing Shwartz only won by one vote.
“I was ecstatic when he revealed the winner. I felt a sense of pride and accomplishment. I have been excited for its completion ever since,” said Schwartz.”
Schwartz’s winning floor plan was then sent to Cape Area Habitat for Humanity for further inspections. In August 2010, Cape Area Habitat for Humanity Office Manager, Becky Fluchel and the future homeowner, both had layout suggestions which needed to be incorporated into the plans. Schwartz and Professor Bowers worked long hours trying to perfect the design; eliminating windows, moving bathrooms and changing measurements. In September 2010 the final revisions were approved by Cape Area Habitat for Humanity and the city of Cape Girardeau. Finally the final layout was finished and ready for Habitat for Humanity SEMO Chapter to put it to use.
“It took quite a long time, as I am sure any building would, just to make sure that all the dimensions are correct and the layout is the best it can be,” said Schwartz.
According to Schwartz she designed a fairly simple house, with four bedrooms, two baths and a front porch. She believes hers was chosen because of her well organized layout, which had four bedrooms, where others only had three.
“Stephanie was an excellent student and had a good house design,” said Professor Bowers
If you want to help bring Schwart’z deisign to life, contact Jessica Cooper at jlcooper3s@semo.edu for volunteer information.
**Published in The Arrow
