First-year garage project
Carpentry and Cabinetry
On-site Projects
First-year students learn basic terminology, estimating of materials, laying out buildings with a transit, and using framing techniques
during their first quarter in the fall. This knowledge becomes very valuable the following spring quarter as students leave campus to lay
out and build a two-car garage from start to finish. The project includes forming and pouring the foundation, all aspects of framing,
composition roofing, doors, windows, and vinyl soffit and siding. Students gain valuable hands-on experience and benefit future students
at the same time.
The "Touch the Future" House Project
Second-year students are ready for the fourth quarter and the challenge of a more complicated project. This truly becomes a campus-wide
effort with involvement from numerous programs. The blueprints for the house are drawn by SCC's architectural students and the heating
and cooling system is designed and installed by the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning students. These students also manufacture
a large portion of the ductwork for that system.
Landscape, including trees and shrubs, lawn and sprinkler system, and paver patios and walkways, is designed and installed by the
Certified Landscape Technician program students.
The CCS Foundation, a non-profit organization in charge of donations and gifts to the various programs, sponsors the house. Upon
completion in spring quarter, the home is sold at fair market value. Profits are distributed in the form of student scholarships.
The Carpentry, HVAC, and Certified Landscape Technician programs also realize a portion of these proceeds and use the money to
replace and upgrade equipment, once again at no cost to the taxpayer.
More about the Carpentry Program's Second Year
Fall quarter is spent studying the house prints and estimating the materials that will be required to frame the building and have
it under roof by the end of the fall quarter. Students are involved in all aspects of framing including some complicated roof
truss systems. Emphasis is placed on energy-efficient construction throughout the project.
Winter quarter covers exterior door and window installation, siding, and soffit trimwork. Interior work exposes students to
subcontractor scheduling and working side by side with electrical, plumbing, and numerous other tradespeople. Students are responsible
for insulating the house to meet or exceed Washington State Energy Codes. This includes drywall installation and the air-tightness of
the structure.
Spring quarter is reserved for the finishwork. All cabinetry, including the kitchen, bathroom vanities, and items such as linen closets
are designed and constructed by the class. Installation of the cabinetwork follows including the trimming out of all interior door,
window openings, and base molding. Subcontractors wrap up the project by installing hardwood and vinyl flooring, carpets, tilework, and
electrical fixtures.
SCC's "Touch the Future"
project house
As a special thanks to our graduates for a job well done, the department awards all students accumulating a 2.5 grade point
average for the six quarters a new worm-drive circular saw. These saws have been donated to the program by the CCS Foundation with
financial support from industry.