Left: The second Tiny Home, designed and built by Summer Creek High School students, features a porch equipped with lighting for the veteran to enjoy a morning cup of coffee or a Texas sunset. The new canopy for the construction site, built with Bond 2018 funds, now stands behind the home. Right: Summer Creek High School senior Jose De La Rosa (center) cuts the ribbon at the dedication of the school’s latest Tiny Home donated to veterans as part of “Students Helping Veterans: Big Heroes, Tiny Homes.” De La Rosa was the lead architect for the building project.
Students at Summer Creek High School celebrated the completion of their second Tiny Home as part of “Students helping Veterans: Big Heroes, Tiny Homes” with a ribbon cutting event and home donation presentation on Wednesday, May 26.
The program, which has received national and international attention, is a student-led initiative that teaches students teamwork, architecture, and construction skills.
Summer Creek’s latest home measures 325 square feet and features a complete kitchen with a full-sized range, microwave, undercounter refrigerator, and cabinets. The bathroom features a tub and shower combination, a toilet, and vanity. Endless hot water will be supplied thanks to a tankless water heater installed by students.
The living space features a daybed, recliner, dresser, table with chairs, and a wall-mounted television. Interior furnishings are made possible through the generosity of Skero’s Furniture and Mattress Center.
The 325 square foot Tiny Home features a living room that converts to a bedroom with a daybed, recliner, and flat-screen television.
The homes, designed and built by students, are donated to homeless veterans who need a place to live. The latest Summer Creek High School Tiny Home will be delivered to U.S. Navy veteran Don Gianni at the Langetree Retreat and Ecocenter in Liberty County. Three Tiny Homes previously built by students at Summer Creek High School and Kingwood Park High School now stand at the site.
Summer Creek High School student Jose De La Rosa was the lead architect and designer for the latest home. He feels privileged to have had the opportunity to learn while creating something that will go a long way to help veterans.
“I’m glad that I can finally go to college with the honor knowing that a veteran is living in a Tiny Home I designed,” De La Rosa said.
De La Rosa credits the Tiny Home project for giving him new opportunities to learn design skills, but more importantly, a greater understanding of teamwork.
“I would not trade this experience for any other,” De La Rosa said. “It has really been a great honor working with this group.”
Construction began in March 2020 and was expected to be completed by January 2021, but delays due to COVID-19 caused the home’s completion date to be pushed back to May 2021.
Summer Creek architecture and construction management teacher James Gaylord oversees the students working on the homes.
“The Tiny Homes project is not just about wood, hammer, or nails; it’s about giving our students the opportunity to use the skills they’ve learned on something they can give back to veterans,” Mr. Gaylord said. “The project creates a sense of pride that is unmatched.”
In March 2021, a partnership between Humble ISD, Operation FINALLY HOME, Lowe’s, and the Greater Houston Builders Association boosted the Tiny Home program by making building materials and other resources more readily available to students and teachers.
Students and teachers are now shifting focus to the next Tiny Home, which is expected to be completed by May 2022.
As students begin the next home building project, they’ll be shielded from the elements thanks to a large canopy recently built over the project site. Funds from Bond 2018 covered the cost to build the canopy, which is equipped with fans.
Left: The veteran receiving this Tiny Home will have a full kitchen equipped with a stove, microwave, and built-in refrigerator to prepare meals each day. Right: The spacious bathroom is equipped with a sink, toilet and tub/shower combo. The veteran will enjoy endless hot water with a tankless water heater.