DENTON (UNT), Texas — Engineering students at the University of North Texas are gaining hand-on building experience while contributing to the community.

In the College of Engineering, students in the construction management and construction engineering technology programs build their own tiny homes, which can serve as playhouses or sheds with working lights and an electrical outlet.

“This is the first class where I really feel like I’m understanding construction,” said Emily Garcia, a transfer student from Arizona State University. “Most classes are all about note-taking, but this one’s hands-on. Sheds like this usually cost $800, but I’d say ours is worth at least $1,000.”

The project has been in place for 15 years. It originally involved all students working on a two-bedroom home, but the finished project was too large to move. Now, the class builds smaller homes in multiple groups, minimizing waste.

“This semester we had two groups,” said Aloysius Attah, clinical associate professor of mechanical engineering. “In the spring, we could have as many as five. That’s why we started offering the lab in both semesters now. It’s very popular.”

Like Garcia, many of the students in the class are non-traditional students, including Tanner Jones, who has worked in construction before joining the program.

“I’m managing remodels right now, but I can’t take on new, larger builds until I finish my degree. So, that’s my goal,” Jones said. “I’ve learned not to underestimate the math — what looks simple on paper can be much harder in practice.”  

Jones has had the chance to be project manager on the project, but the aim is for every student to experience all roles on a real-world job site. Other roles include safety management, documentation, materials handling and general laborers.

Paola Martinez, a transfer student from Tarrant County College, views the different roles as an important learning experience.

“It’s good practice for me because someday I want to own my own company. Knowing how each role works helps,” Martinez said.

The homes are built from the ground up by the students with guidance from faculty, lab managers and teaching assistants. Students build the frame, install insulation, wire the electrical system and add the roof. At the end of the semester, the homes are put up for auction on the UNT Public Surplus site. Bidding starts at $1, but some homes have sold for more than $500. The Fall 2024 semester’s homes will be on sale starting in early January.

Regardless of the final price, most students find the experience to be invaluable. Robert Norvell, a UNT sophomore who works full-time, is one of them.

“I think this is a great starting point for anyone who hasn’t worked with tools before,” Norvell said. “I’d recommend this class to most people here — it gives you real-world experience.”