Construction of a miniature house continues at ChattState in the Civil & Construction Engineering Technology program. The Tiny House Project began in fall of 2016 to give students the opportunity to get hands-on experience with planning, scheduling, and building a fully- functional tiny house. Funding for the project is made possible from the Community Foundation of Greater Chattanooga, Lowe’s, Greens Eco Build and Design, and consulting services from Wind River Tiny Homes.

ChattState hosted a group of students from East Ridge and Ooltewah High Schools on March 31 and April 7 to spread awareness about the project and increase future enrollment in construction-related programs. Associate Professor of Civil and Construction Engineering Technology and Project leader, Caitlin Moffitt says, “By establishing a core build project for construction programs, we are able to increase retention, progression, and graduation of students.” According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the construction industry is expected to grow by 22 percent by 2022.

Throughout the months of March and April, the students will be putting up the walls, framing the roof, and starting electrical work.

The project is also working in partnership with Sandra Lambertino, Associate Instructor Kyle Lee, and Instructor Winston Lay with the students in the Industrial Maintenance and Industrial Electricity Programs from the Tennessee College of Applied Technology (TCAT) for the mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems in the tiny house. Bruce Alston and Jeff Hanna with Media Services are helping to document the build.

The Tiny house project also will be having Build and BBQ Days this summer where high school students or prospective college students can come learn about careers in construction and the programs available at ChattState, as well as getting hands-on experience with the project. More information on that will be available at a later date.

For more information on the Tiny House Project, contact Caitlin Moffitt at Caitlin.moffitt@chattanoogastate.edu or visit https://www.facebook.com/chattanoogastatetinyhouseproject