Building Homes of Our Own is an interactive teaching tool. The simulation presents a big-picture view of the entire home building process from site selection, home design... on to construction and the final sale.

A game "feel" featuring 2-D and 3-D graphics, animations and audio clips creates an environment that makes learning compelling. Students collect information, solve problems and make choices as they build a 3-D home against a budget, then review credit applications and sell to the buyer of their choice.

The program is part of the National Association of Home Builders' (NAHB) ongoing educational outreach initiative, in partnership with the National Housing Endowment and Freddie Mac. Students will research what endangered species might live on their site, what renewable technologies could make their investment most sustainable/cost efficient, what makes good home design, how a floor plan "flows", how plans are drawn with a chance for all students to have a hands-on chance to use Chief Architect XI CAD drawing software. Construction School students will also learn about basic home building math.

This is a truly fun, interdisciplinary approach to home building training. Students with a wide variety of interests and strengths, and any age mix group, from 18-years-old to 84-years-young, will have many opportunities to engage in the home building and design learning process. All class members are encouraged to share their individual interests and abilities.

              

             Chief Architect XI
Chief Architect is a fun and powerful professional 3D design solution for our students. Whether it’s residential or light commercial, Chief Architect’s ease of use lets our instructors focus more on teaching concepts and less on software.

   Chief Architect XI is easy and fun to learn!