Sustainable housing is in the hands of our youth
Ever wonder what might happen if we let younger people take charge of the future of sustainable housing? Well, we’re about to find out.
Students from East Cork Youthreach and Christ King Secondary School in Cork are amongst 16 schools and 40 teams nationwide who have signed up for the CIF Build the Future – Schools Challenge.
The competition, now in its second year, challenges classrooms across Ireland to design a sustainable housing development that will help Ireland reach its sustainability targets.
Aimed at transition year students, it is a team-based project where students work together to design a residential development addressing sustainability, climate change and the housing crisis while showcasing innovation in construction.
The submitted designs will also need to be eco-friendly, affordable.
The winning team will present their designs at the Ireland Skills Live Event in the RDS. In addition, they will receive a day’s construction experience provided by Technical University Dublin.
They will also receive a TOPCON Complete construction package which includes the most up to date laser equipment and half a day’s instruction, as well as a prize for each of the team members.
Construction Industry Federation (CIF) Director General, Tom Parlon said: “We saw how last year’s competition celebrated the creativity and purpose that’s sometimes taken for granted in the construction industry.
“We’re marrying young people’s concerns about homelessness, climate change and inclusivity with construction to demonstrate that a career can make a difference and have a real purpose. There’s a clear career path from building site to boardroom for those who want it.”
The CIF Build the Future – Schools Challenge is run by the CIF in partnership with Sherry FitzGerald and will be supported by the Teachers Union of Ireland (TUI), TechnoTeachers Association Ireland, the Engineering Technology Teachers Association, and the Institute of Guidance Counsellors. The competition will run until 1 March 2022 and can be entered via cif.ie/cifchallenge.