Spring 2024

SHORT CUTS NEIGHBORS R ancho Cielo Construction Academy students earned national attention in 3ctoFer aJter their eleKant enerKy eJficient Qodular hoQe won first place at the 3ranKe County Sustainability Decathlon. The event showcased innovative housing solu- tions by students from 15 colleges and universities. Rancho Cielo was the smallest school to com- pete 8hrouKh a start up called 2e\us ,ousinK the 7alinas teaQ drew support JroQ ,ayward 0uQFer 7cudder 6oofinK (on 'hapin 'oQpany Ferguson and many other local businesses. EcoLogic Architects Founder Thomas 6ettenwender spearheaded the proNect ±% lot oJ housinK is incrediFly e\pensiZe If we can rethink how we do things, we can FrinK costs down and haZe a lastinK iQpact ² he says. “The most sustainable measure of all is to educate our youth ² About 40 Rancho Cielo vocational students helped Fuild the sUuare Joot hoQe which has an adZanced air filtration systeQ fire resistant Jeatures solar power and Fonus loJt and patio space 4articipants Kained confidence throuKhout the construction presentation and NudKinK process “When the students started seeing us win, they Nust FlooQed ² 6ettenwender says 8he coQpleted hoQe will anchor a planned 13-unit ecovillage at Rancho Cielo, and it’s one oJ Jour 2e\us ,ousinK Qodels aZailaFle Jor puFlic preorder ±8he proNect really has opened our eyes to what´s possiFle and we´re e\cited to Krow ² Rettenwender says. To view house plans and support the project, please visit www.nexushousing.org . Part of the Rancho Cielo Team stands proudly in front of their project, the Nexus_01 House, Jor which they won first place in the 3range County 7ustainability (ecathlon. Rancho Cielo Team Takes 8op ,onors in Sustainable ,ousinK 'oQpetition B = 6 )2) ) B 6 - 2'/ 7 Photo: Gabi Lamb 86 C A R M E L M A G A Z I N E • S P R I N G 2 0 2 4