Enhancing New Haven neighborhoods is one of the goals of the First-Year Building Project at the School of Architecture. Here, Yale students (from left) Josh Coleman, Rogan Ferguson and Jenny Yoo look at a model of the Newhallville neighborhood where this year's project will be built.

Architecture project benefits 'fragile' city neighborhood

Construction has begun at the School of Architecture's hands-on First-Year Building Project at 23 West Read St. in the Newhallville section of New Haven. This year's project is a three-bedroom, one-family house in a modest residential neighborhood. When finished, it will be sold at cost to a first-time homeowner by the client, Neighborhood Housing Services, a local non-profit organization. Because of this project, architecture students at Yale get an education that goes beyond the drawing board. Every spring since 1967, first-year students have put down their pencils and picked up hammers, to build a structure from foundation to roof, from framing to trim. "No other graduate school of architecture has this kind of program," said first-year student Victoria Partridge. "It's why I chose to come to Yale. This has been extremely challenging, and extremely rewarding. You think you understand the process, from drawings and observation of construction, but to actually do this will be enlightening for me." Only 4 of the 38 students in this year's class have done any construction work in the past. By the end of their six weeks on the site, they will have gained the kind of practical knowledge that will make them better at their profession. "This is a tangible way of approaching architecture," said first-year student Bimal Mendis, who transferred to Yale so that he could participate in this program. (Mendis, a Sri Lankan who grew up in Zimbabwe, began his architectural studies at Princeton.) "My only construction experience so far has been in making models. "It's highly unusual for architecture students to see a project through from start to finish," Mendis added. "When we work as summer interns, we only see a small piece of the process. It's really important for us to get this kind of experience early in our careers." Faculty member Paul Brouard has served as director of the First-Year Building Project for the past 30 years. "I've had over 1,000 students out in the field, building their creations," Brouard said. Despite that, the process hasn't grown stale for him. "It's still exciting to see the students come along. Each class views the project differently. They generate vital energy in learning how to build." "The First-Year Building Project is unique to Yale," said School of Architecture Dean Robert A.M. Stern. "It invites students to experience the critical relationship between conceptualization and realization, between design and construction. Every step of the way, students gain skills and insights and increase their commitment to architecture. They come to see how their work has a direct and meaningful effect upon the lives of others. The Yale building project demonstrates that the architect must be a responsible and active member of the community." Over the years, Yale students have erected about a dozen houses in transitional neighborhoods of New Haven. "These fragile neighborhoods benefit from interventions," said Herbert Newman, architectural critic at Yale and a coordinator of the First-Year Building Project since its inception. "These are not isolated buildings -- they have a beneficial effect, helping make people more conscious of renewing their neighborhoods. The whole is greater than the sum of the parts." The house on the corner of West Read and Watson Streets has a modified gable roof and a large, welcoming porch that faces west. The first floor has 10-foot high ceilings, an eat-in kitchen, living room, dining room and a half bath; upstairs there are three bedrooms and a full bath. The overall square footage is about 1,500 -- far smaller than the usual architect-designed house. The back yard has a mature willow tree, and the house "jogs about eight degrees to address the tree, embrace the side yard and provide a partial front to Watson Street," said Mendis. "The roof line makes a gesture to greet the corner. The highest point of the house is angled toward the corner of the site." Newman, who is principal of his own architectural firm in New Haven, adds, "The house has a distinct sculptural quality, and it works to resolve a difficult corner." This year's project will use ENERGY STAR®-approved materials, when possible. ENERGY STAR® is a voluntary program run by the U.S. Department of Energy and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency along with product manufacturers, local utilities and retailers. The program encourages use of energy-efficient and environmentally friendly materials. The students will work in rotating shifts through the next six weeks. In mid-June, a crew of eight students -- with one local high school intern -- will continue the project through the summer, until the house is finished. Teaching assistants Oliver Freundlich, Julianna Chittick, Sam Tyler and Jeff Goldstein will work with the first-year students. The foundation was dug on May 1, and students began working on the house shortly afterwards. -- By Gila Reinstein T H I SW E E K ' SS T O R I E S Conservationist's gift establishes environmental studies professorship More attention to the environment is needed, EPA administrator says Graduate students honor their mentors with a new award Twelve individuals honored for improving town-gown connections Mammograms lower rate of breast cancer recurrence, study finds Talk marks opening of center for children exposed to violence Scholar decries abuse of women to create pornography Baseball commissioner talks about players' responsibility Event examines life, work of controversial Yiddish writer Student drama centers on play once charged with being obscene Exhibit to explore how artists depicted Africa in 20th century Satellite images aid study of environmental threats in Africa Celebration of Russian literature on view at Beinecke Architecture project benefits 'fragile' city neighborhood Yale student groups honored for service to community Yale Physicians Building to be city's newest art exhibit space Graduate student scientists sharing their research at two-day symposium Agrarian Studies marks 10th year with conference In thanks,Yale physician receives Yankees baseball English Department alumni will consider 'Prospects for the New Century' Memorial service to celebrate life of John Blassingame Divinity School Search Committee Correction Campus Notes Yale Scoreboard In the News Bulletin Home|Visiting on Campus| Calendar of Events|Bulletin Board Classified Ads|Search Archives|Production Schedule|Bulletin Staff Public Affairs Home|News Releases| E-Mail Us|Yale Home Page