Palmerston North Students to Build a House

1st March 2010

More than one hundred UCOL trades and design students will get a real taste of their respective industries when UCOL constructs a three bedroom house this year.

The modest 112 square metre house will occupy a site on land adjacent to the UCOL trades facility on Amesbury Street and building industry suppliers are keen to assist the project.

Certificate in Carpentry students (Level 4) will be involved in the preparation of the site and the construction of the house itself under the supervision of Carpentry tutors Steve Wharehinga and Mark Kitchin.

Construction Trades Programme Leader Danny Reilly says the project has been four years in the planning but will benefit a variety of students campus-wide. “It will greatly enhance the quality of teaching and better prepare students for industry.”

UCOL Diploma of Interior Design students will design the kitchen and select the interior and exterior colour schemes. Interior Design lecturer Leah Burns is excited that her students will have the opportunity to be involved. “It will give them a fabulous, hands-on learning experience.”

Introduction to Joinery students will make the kitchen and bathroom joinery. Their lecturer Bruce Birrell agrees the project is a great teaching tool and will give his students a realistic experience of their trade.

Ground work will start on the site within the next month and the house will be completed well before the end of the year.

The finished house will be sold for removal and to recover costs.

For further information contact Danny Reilly on +64 6 952 7001 extn 70059