AIA YAF CONNECTION 17.02 - Advocacy in Architecture

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FEATURE

SPRING GROVE HERITAGE HOUSE

DESIGNING AFFORDABLE HOUSING WITH CULTURAL HISTORIES IN MIND MIRANDA MOEN

EMBRACING UNTRADITIONAL PATHS IN ARCHITECTURE As an aspiring architect, I have often wondered how to go about starting my own projects, especially in my home community in rural Minnesota. This article is an introduction to how I began this process and the wonderful support I have received from my community. I hope to motivate other young designers to go out and create an impact in their community. Moreover, I hope that sharing my story will highlight that it is possible to do nontraditional projects as an unlicensed architect, while still working toward licensure and giving rural communities access to young designers and projects that can positively impact their future. THE PROJECT: HOW THE OPPORTUNITY AROSE Last summer, I participated in an artist residency program in Houston County, Minn., where I grew up. During the week-long program, I had the privilege of meeting with Courtney Bergey of the Economic Development Authority in Houston County. She had heard about my passion for designing rural affordable housing and brought up the idea of connecting local entities to build housing in Spring Grove. This would entail connecting Habitat for HumanityLa Crosse, the Spring Grove School District and myself, as the process also involved collaborations with high school students wishing to learn more about design and construction.

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CONNECTION

THE ARCHITECTURE AND DESIGN JOURNAL OF THE YOUNG ARCHITECTS FORUM

Through the Southern Minnesota Initiative Fund’s Small Town Grant, I was hired by the Spring Grove School District in fall 2018 to be the head designer working alongside Habitat for Humanity-La Crosse and the Spring Grove High School Makerspace students to design and build a new house in town. For the pre-design and design development phases of fall 2018, I met with students through virtual, biweekly presentations outlining the design process and precedent studies for the house design. Engaging with and teaching students about the architectural process was important to the project because they would be building the Habitat house as part of their Makerspace class in the Spring 2019 semester. The mentorship we provided to the Spring Grove students was one of my favorite aspects of the Spring Grove Heritage House project. Reflecting on my own lack of understanding of architecture when I was in high school, this is an immensely helpful experience for students interested in design and construction alike. In my mind, the exposure to an architectural design project in their hometown, led by a person from that area, provides rural students more access to design disciplines that might not otherwise be available. It is my hope that students see a more cohesive connection between the realm of designers and skilled workers that is not often represented in rural areas.


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AIA YAF CONNECTION 17.02 - Advocacy in Architecture by AIA Young Architects Forum - Issuu