During the Fall 2017 semester we were instructed to design a structure that could be used as a school and community center for the hamlet of Pasmata. Due to government issues with our building permit, we were directed to the neighboring village of Santa Martha. They had been praying for a building like this for a decade. With the economy here as inflated as it is, where people make $3 a day, this sort of project was out of the question for many years. Using our fundraising abilities and design knowledge, we were able to draft up construction documents for this center which were then sent down to the town. We raised over $12,000 to fund all the construction materials that were bought locally in country.

In December we were able to travel down to Nicaragua and build our design. With the help of the community, a good portion of the building was quickly erected and we were able to learn about construction practices while also the culture of the area. This was a life changing trip that helped all of us realize the impact we have on the world around us but also the means of how our designs change lives.

Role: Point of Contact for Community Connections

Site: Santa Martha, Jalapa, Nueva Segovia , Nicaragua

Project: Final semester project for Special Topics: Technical International Design Build: Fall 2017 and Winter 2018

Partnership: Boulder Jalapa Friendship City Projects (nonprofit)

Awards:  CU Denver RaCAS 2018: Emerging Scholar Award