TeamMTL placed very well in the competition. What do you think your team did differently than the others?
RD: What set us apart was how we integrated different disciplines. For example, we had both architects and engineers present on the engineering, innovation and architecture jury walkthroughs. The team also had a real vision for future uses of the project. The house was not just built for the competition, but rather as part of a greater plan for making high performance, affordable housing in dense urban areas a reality in Montreal.
Can you describe your experience in Dezhou, China? What was the best part? What was the most challenging aspect?
RD: The best part was to see our group power through the different trials and tribulations we faced. We were the team with the dirtiest T-shirts! Most of our competitors had local contractors working for them, but we proudly did all the work ourselves.
The challenges were endless. To start, our foundations were not built to specifications and there was no electrical or sewage services provided. Our tools arrived a week late, then came the typhoons and pouring rain, followed by 45 C sunny weather.
Moreover, we had an electrical converter for our North American electrical installation fail in the middle of the competition. There was always something to worry about! Add to this the language barrier and you have a great mix of challenges. I don’t think there was one single aspect that was the most challenging — the whole experience was demanding.
What is your biggest takeaway from this experience?
RD: The whole competition provided an amazing opportunity for students, like myself, to gain practical experience outside of the classroom. Of course you can do internships at engineering firms or work for general contractors, but building something like this in a short time frame is a learning experience that has no equal. We also got to meet students from different countries who work in the same fields, and the collaboration between teams was amazing!
What are your plans going forward? Do you have any big projects on the horizon?
RD: The first step is to finish my thesis this semester. After that, I’ll look for a job in the building sector and start building my own high-performance house!
Find out more about Concordia’s Department of Building, Civil and Environmental Engineering (BCEE).