Anddddd… we’re back!

The last time you checked in with the Deborah’s Home team, we had just finished the main structure on the Pod Mock-up and wrapped up our first Executive Review. Since then, we’ve been busier than a bee preparing for the renowned Pig Roast, final Executive Review, and graduation. (Yup… it got four degrees hotter in here.)

Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT) Pod

We finished the entire structure of the CLT Pod back in April. Fast forward to the end of May, and we’ve now sheathed the stick-framed “gaskets” and applied our vapor barrier, Adhero Solitex 3000.

Right now, we’re focused on detailing all the flashing conditions that will eventually carry over into the larger house (Deborah’s Home). The pod continues to act as our full-scale testing ground for exterior insulation details, weatherproofing strategies, and figuring out how to keep these assemblies simple and replicable for the real project.

Deborah’s Home

Now, you might be thinking, “Shouldn’t that mockup be farther along by now?”

Wellllll… slow your roll. We’ve got to keep both the pod and the house moving at the same time! And things have been nonstop around here with the end-of-semester lineup of events.

Starting off strong, we spent all of April preparing for Pig Roast and Executive Review II. For Pig Roast, we went all in with full-scale spray-painted floor plans to help show the scale of the house and the transition between structural systems. Alongside those, we displayed drawings of our floor plans, building sections, and construction details that have been simmering all year long.

It was incredibly exciting to finally share the work with friends, family, and the wider Rural Studio community. Between a full day of presentations, questionable jokes, and comically dramatic walk-throughs, we couldn’t have been prouder of the progress made this year or more grateful for all the people who helped guide us along the way.

After Pig Roast, a quick celebration was definitely due… but then it was right back to work because Executive Review II was drawing nigh. We worked tirelessly to prepare for another successful review alongside Justin Miller, Rusty Smith, Emily McGlohn, Stephen Long, John Marusich, and Andrew Freear. Discussions focused on construction sequencing, environmental impacts on the site, and exploring different CLT manufacturers and their products.

And after surviving the beautiful chaos of Pig Roast and Executive Review, we headed back to Auburn one last time…as students.

Drum roll please…

We graduated college!

A weekend full of celebrations, reunions, and seeing old friends marked the end of one chapter and the beginning of another. Don’t worry—we’ll still be hanging around Hale County and reporting on our progress.

Until next time,


Deborah’s Home team, newly graduated “Leftovers”