UMass DesignBuild - 2025

This project was a collaborative effort through the UMass DesignBuild Program, where our team designed and built a 16' × 40' modular home for Habitat for Humanity and the Holyoke Housing Authority. The one‑bedroom design fills a critical gap in Holyoke’s housing market, and the full process is documented on the UMass DesignBuild blog. The studio immersed students in every stage of residential construction, from concept and iteration to fabrication and on‑site building.

"Casita" Concept Drawings

At the start of the design phase, we created multiple schemes to share with the future homeowners. The shed‑roof module shown here was one option, and their input helped steer the project toward a gable roof that better matched the neighborhood context. In built project, a gable roof was chosen.

Construction Drawings

Throughout the design process, the design build team coordinated over the document set required. We collaborated on and accumulated over 40 drawings to submit to the Housing Authority

Build Session

Following the spring design phase completed by the entire studio, the project advanced into two summer build sessions. In Session 2, our team took the design into full fabrication and assembly—framing, sheathing, installing windows, and sealing the structure for transport.

End of Build - August

By the close of the session, the modules were framed, enclosed, and prepared for transport to Holyoke, MA—setting the stage for final assembly on site.

Post DesignBuild

Work has continued beyond the formal DesignBuild Program, with faculty, Habitat for Humanity, and Holyoke Housing authority transporting and getting the owners into their new home. The new owners moved in at the beginning of February, 2026.