RCC Students Build Home in Eagle Point

Students at Rogue Community College are learning first hand what it's like to work outside in the construction industry.

From drawing designs of the home, to pouring concrete, for the first time, students in the RCC construction technology program, are building a home in Eagle Point all on their own.

They're being guided by instructors and the Home Builders' Association of Jackson County.

"We're building a house in Eagle Point using green technology to make it as sustainable and environmentally conscious as possible," said RCC student Jedediah Marinak.

It will measure 1,800 square-feet, it will have three bedrooms and this house should be done by spring of 2009. It will be built on Win Way.

This home will be built with green materials and a water retention system.

This is part of a two-year project. Students designed the home last year and groups of students will spend 10 hours a week this summer, putting it all together.

"It's a multilevel learning experience here, students are not only getting hands-on experience, but they're learning how process works design process," said Ralph Henderson, the department head of the Construction Technology Department at RCC.

They spent the day hammering away, building the home's joist system, but it wasn't without the help of instructors.

31-year-old Jedediah Marinak is a year into getting his construction management industries degree.

His father worked in construction and it's something he knew he'd do someday, even though he didn't know quite what to expect.

"I knew it was hard work," Marinak said. "I didn't understand quite how working in the sun is but its definitely a challenge."

And it's all about learning from start to finish, one mistake at a time.

"There's times when its easy," Marinak said. "Times you have to redo what you've done, times that its very difficult, but you take good with the bad you roll with it."

Instructors say in the fall, students from Crater High School's construction industry program will also be joining in on the project.

When the home is complete, it will be sold. Instructors say proceeds from it's sale, over project costs, will go toward scholarships for construction technology students.