Building Hope in 2024 with Residential Architecture
At Mark Eric Benner – Architects (MEBA), we believe in the power of community and design’s transformative impact. We are excited to share our involvement in a truly inspiring project: the Appalachian Service Project (ASP) 2024 build event in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia. In collaboration with The Home Depot Foundation, Solid Rock Carpenters, and over 300 dedicated volunteers, we helped to build 16 affordable homes for military families in just three hours. This monumental effort is a testament to achievement when passion, expertise, and teamwork come together.
The Challenge: Addressing the Need for Affordable Housing
The need for affordable housing in America is growing, particularly in areas like White Sulphur Springs, WV, where economic challenges have left many families without stable housing options. The Appalachian Service Project (ASP) has long been at the forefront of addressing these needs, focusing on making homes “warmer, safer, and drier” for families in the Appalachian region. However, the demand for quality, affordable homes has outgrown the available stock of existing housing, resulting in increased demand for new construction homes.
The challenge for the 2024 event was significant: build 16 new homes in just a few hours, providing much-needed housing for deserving families. The ASP, The Home Depot Foundation, and Solid Rock Carpenters set out to achieve this ambitious goal. It was clear that to pull off such a feat, we would need a well-coordinated plan, efficient logistics, and the dedication of hundreds of volunteers.
Our Role: Architectural Excellence Meets Community Impact
As the architectural partner for this project, Mark Eric Benner – Architects was responsible for translating the ASP’s housing plans into detailed framing instructions, ensuring the design was optimized for both speed and quality. Our team worked tirelessly to develop plans that would allow volunteers of all skill levels to quickly and efficiently build the homes while maintaining the high standards of safety and durability that ASP projects are known for.
Our work began with the architectural translation of the stock ASP plans into actionable steps that low-skilled volunteers could easily follow. Construction coordination included:
- Determining the necessary components and quantities.
- Prototyping the home models.
- Preparing detailed instructions that would be easy to understand on the day of the build.
We also played a crucial role in material planning and securing the “Factory” location for processing the building components.
Preparation and Coordination: The Key to Success
Dedicated Solid Rock Carpenter volunteers prepare for the event over several months of meticulous planning and coordination. Thanks to the generosity of Nicholas and Associates, we secured a vacant industrial building in Mount Prospect, IL, to serve as the “Factory,” where volunteers could prepare and pre-assemble the wall components. Having an indoor climate-controlled workspace ensures efficient and high-quality fabrication.
Our team and other partners organized the procurement of materials and tools, coordinated the transport of components to White Sulphur Springs, and planned the layout and staging of materials at the building site. The Tool Bank, a key supporter of volunteer events, provided the necessary tools to ensure all volunteers had what they needed to build safely and efficiently.
The Big Day: A Community Unites for a Common Cause
The build day on June 5th was nothing short of extraordinary. Over 300 enthusiastic volunteers from The Home Depot Foundation arrived on site, ready to make a difference. The event started with an opening ceremony and a rallying cheer from the Home Depot team, setting the stage for an incredible teamwork and community spirit day.
Volunteers joined teams, each responsible for building specific sections of the homes. Under the guidance of skilled team leaders, they quickly got to work, following the instructions meticulously laid out by our architectural team. The energy was palpable as walls rose and homes began to take shape. In just three hours, the walls for 16 homes were fully framed and ready to be transported to their final destinations in Kentucky and Tennessee.
A Triumph of Collaboration and Community
The ASP 2024 project was an unmitigated success, demonstrating the incredible impact of organizations working together for a common cause. This event was not just about building homes but about building hope and creating a brighter future for needy families.
Participating in this project was a humbling experience for us at Mark Eric Benner Architects. It reaffirmed our belief that architecture is not just about designing structures but creating spaces that foster community, provide comfort, and inspire hope.
Conclusion: Looking Forward
The success of the ASP 2024 event is a powerful reminder of the achievements of caring volunteers who address critical needs in our communities. We are proud to have contributed to this effort. We look forward to continuing our work with organizations like ASP, The Home Depot Foundation, and Solid Rock Carpenters to make a positive impact where needed most.
We invite you to support these efforts. Whether volunteering your time, donating resources, or simply spreading the word, every little bit helps. Together, we can build more than just houses—we can create hope.
Call to Action: Get Involved!
Are you interested in getting involved in future projects? Visit our website to learn more about our work and how you can contribute. Follow us on social media for updates on upcoming events and opportunities to make a difference. Let’s continue to build stronger, more resilient communities together!
Project Partners
- Appalachian Service Project (https://www.ASPHome.org)
- Solid Rock Carpenters (https://www.SolidRockCarpeners.org)
- The Home Depot Foundation (https://corporate.homedepot.com/page/home-depot-foundation)
- The Tool Bank (https://www.ToolBank.org)
- People Source (https://www.peoplesourceusa.com)
Stay connected with us:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bennerme/
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MarkBennerArchitect?sub_confirmation=1
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MEBArchitects
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/mebaltd
- Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/bennerme
- Houzz: https://www.houzz.com/pro/bennerm/mark-eric-benner-architects-ltd
#AffordableHousing #CommunityImpact #Volunteer #AppalachianServiceProject #ASP #ASP2024 #MEBAmade #SolidRockCarpenters #SRC #MarkEricBennerArchitects #HomeDepotFoundation #HDF #BuildingHope #WhiteSulphurSprings #WestVirginia #Tennessee #Kentucky #ResidentialArchitecture
Thank you for being part of our journey to make a difference. Together, we can achieve extraordinary things!
Are you Ready for a New or Remodeled Home?
At Mark Eric Benner – Architects, we specialize in creating innovative and personalized home designs that meet each client’s unique needs.
Mark Eric Benner Architects provides architectural and interior design services in Illinois communities, including Chicago, Deerfield, Evanston, Glencoe, Glenview, Highland Park, Kenilworth, Lake Bluff, Lake Forest, Northbrook, Northfield, Ravinia, Wilmette, and Winnetka, as well as the Colorado and Wisconsin resort markets.
Contact us today to start planning your dream kitchen.
Book Your FREE 15-minute Intro Call Today
Are you ready to discuss your upcoming home project? Book your FREE 15-minute Intro Call (https://calendly.com/meba/intro-call)
