Architectural engineering students volunteer on Habitat for Humanity project

Sixteen members of the Architectural Engineering Institute student chapter made a difference in a family's life by helping to build their new home in Lafayette. During the Habitat for Humanity work day on Oct. 6, the students worked on a drainage system outside the edge of the foundation and removed concrete forms from the foundation walls. Students worked with dedication and enthusiasm in spite of a cold and snowy weather, according to faculty advisor Sandra Vásconez. With generous financial support from the dean of engineering, the CEAE department chair, and industry organizations such as JVA Consulting Engineers and RMH Group, AEI also was able to help with the purchase of some construction materials necessary to build the house that the students worked on. Thanks to the chapter's officers - Mio Stanley, Ellen Becker, and Jon Schneck - who organized the effort. Stanley had this to say about the event:

Earlier this semester, the Architectural Engineering Institute (AEI) student chapter here at CU participated in a Team Build event with the Flatirons Habitat for Humanity. AEI members attended to help continue the foundation work on a multifamily residence in Lafayette. AEI made excellent progress that day, even exceeding the expectations of the project foreman and the Habitat for Humanity team leaders. We began the day by digging sump pits and laying gravel along the foot of the foundation wall. After lunch, we tackled removing the concrete formwork on the exterior side of the wall, which we quickly finished. Lastly, a group of us painted waterproofing on the outer foundation wall while the rest of us finished stripping the concrete forms on the interior. We even worked alongside some of the future residents of the home, who are also pictured in the photo.

Despite having to arrive at school at 7 a.m. on a cold, snowy Saturday morning and working until our muscles were sore, I think we can all agree it was worth it to help these families. We are also looking forward to the Family Welcome Event in December to formally meet the families and write well-wishes on the beams of the house. I would like to thank Flatirons Habitat for Humanity for giving AEI such an opportunity, the CEAE Department for their support, and to all of AEI’s members for making this event a great success! We hope to continue this event as an annual tradition, or even a semi-annual tradition. If you would like to join AEI and participate in future Habitat for Humanity Team Build events, don’t hesitate to stop by any AEI meeting or contact me at mio.stanley@colorado.edu.