#auburnarchitecture

A Lesson on Multitasking

April 19, 2026

Multitasking: A word that is taking on a very real meaning for the group of four on the Dining House Team! As the construction for the Dining House is officially off the ground, we’re busy bees, juggling three huge jobs: on-site construction, work on the mock-up, and design tasks! Here are a few of our recent highlights from the large Dining House to-do list!

Snacking & working—multi-tasking at its finest

Progress During “Neckdown” Week

During Neckdown of Spring 2026, when we the Diners made some headway by organizing the Studio’s lumber inventory in barns around Newbern. In January, we completed milling all 28 4″ x 6″ pine timbers from on-site trees. These structural members will be used in the final design as tension columns. The largest pine tree available to the Studio was milled down to six 2″ x 18″s, which will be assembled into a ridge beam composite for the Dining House.

Unloading lumber with help from 3rd-year students

Tyler and his crew rerouting water drainage

On site, the team erected batter boards and mapped out the foundation trenches. We also provided guidance as a team of contractors rerouted major drainage lines, installed French drains, and ensured proper site water mitigation.

Once the footer was dug and underground utilities were prepared, the team went into action, preparing for the first concrete pour of the project. Over the span of a week and a half, the four of us divided and conquered in building rebar cages that were composed of eight sections, intending to support the concrete block wall and piers for the soon-to-come columns.

Rebar in its final spot for the footer pour

Leading up to the pour, we team worked hard preparing the wastewater line and readying the rebar for lowering into the trench. This process looked like unusually hot spring days spent shoveling, unloading, and tamping gravel into the footer.

Trench is ready — Rebar in its final spot for the footer pour

In comes the gravel — Rebar in its final spot for the footer pour

Moment of truth! Final touches included placing rebar cages, grade pins, and supports into the trench and gathering helpers and tools for the big pour! On the Friday morning of the pour, we were full of nerves and of excitement to get some concrete in the ground. Within an hour, the task was done and there was no going back!

The final pour all complete! — Checking the level of the concrete pour

Natural lighting options for the Dining House

Feeling great with a major item checked off the do-to list, the team worked through design and construction details, mainly addressing lighting strategies. An investigation into skylights led us down a path to explore daylighting strategies—gable roofs with and without skylights!

Using a series of skylight options, we explored how specific task lighting would move through the room, from sunrise to sunset, at different times of the year.

Examining models out in the sunshine to explore natural lighting

Looking into one of the models for natural lighting

The study helped us to uncover the specific function of light in the process. Thomas Patterson, our knowledgeable lighting consultant, listened to us present the many ideas we developed, our presentations aided by models, digital renderings, and 2-D drawings. We discussed overall goals of ambient light, specific task lighting for cooking, and how materials would be highlighted, landing on a design without specific skylight moments. Our design includes a typical gable, large eastern and western curtain walls, and French doors. We are excited about the amount of glowing and indirect light that these choices will allow into the Dining House.

Interior view of the Dining House kitchen with simple pendant lighting and lots of natural light from the east and west

Tags: #auburnarchitecture, designbuild, masstimber, natural ventilation, research project, rsleftovers

I’m Floored

December 15, 2022

It’s been a minute since you’ve heard from the Patriece’s Home team.

A perspective view of a the house's exteror that is comvered in green sheet panels and black windows.

We last left them in the middle of their window installation, and since then they’ve finished! The fenestrations definitely gave the home its facial features and the wonderful Pella-donated windows filled the interior with beautiful light.

a male student uses a screw driver in a door frame

a female student used a saw in the wooden frame of a door

The team also installed the Pella-donated exterior doors. The doors have integrated windows to give the home even more exterior daylight and now the team can lock up the house when they leave for the day.

With such lovely natural light, the team met with designer Thomas Paterson of Lux Populi again to finalize a complementary artificial lighting plan. The group selected fixtures and bulbs that won’t attempt to replicate daytime light but give a different type of warm cast and task light for differing interior program.

three students stand in three corners of a room. two students opposite of each other hold a light above thair heads

two students stand in a dark hallway. one student holds a light above the corner of a wall.

With the stairs complete, it was easier for the team to bring tongue-and-groove plywood to lay the subfloor within their attic truss.

plywood sheets are being laid down on the floor of an open attic space.

two students lay down plywood sheets on the floor of an open attic space.

Once the subfloor was complete, the team could then finally finish their interior framing! The upstairs rooms have taken shape, and the team got very excited about the possibilities for flexible room at the top of the stairs.

a perspective view of stud walls in the upstairs attic space.

a student frames stud walls in the upstairs attic space.

They also put half-inch plywood along the interior walls of the stairs to later attach a durable layer of tongue-and-groove cypress boards. With a surface to cast light on, the team got even more excited about the exterior light from the windows at the top and bottom of the stairs.

With all the walls established, the group began looking toward wall fillers in preparation to enclose them with drywall (and with endless miscellaneous blocking).

a man sledgehammers the base of a shower into place

a student puts batt insulation into a wall

We enjoyed installing the downstairs shower and upstairs bathtub base. From there, the team began fitting together the PVC drain, water, and vent system to the stub outs connections from the main drain in the concrete slab.

a student puts adhesive on the upstairs subfloor

With the chunky PCV filling the walls, the group began routing flexible PEX tubing through the house. These water supply lines connect to their various fixture stub outs in the bathrooms and kitchen.

a student and instructor discuss drawings pinned to a wall

PVC pipe fittings are arranged on the ground

a student in a dark room works on an electrical box with a single light on their work

an electrical outlet is nailed into the exterior wall between a window and a door

Then it was time for electrical boxes and outlets to find their place in the wall. With the supervision of some expert help, the team installed the two electrical units. These separate outlet boxes offer the opportunity for power to be individually accessed and maintained. With all the wire strung, the house is ready to be plugged into the meter on the temporary power pole outside. Just like decorating for the holidays. We might as well: the house is already green.

a student works next to plumbing fixtures in a wall

a student works overhead on plumbing fixtures

Speaking of holidays, Soup Roast snuck up on the team so fast! The four tidied up for the visitors and started the special day’s project tour with a quick presentation of their home. The crowd got to wander around the home. It’s safe to say it was well received!

a crowd in costumes watches students give a presentation indoors

two people discuss drawings on a table with a light overhead. other figures walk upstairs in the background

The team has a lot to be thankful for in their second holiday season at Rural Studio. The opportunity to build, the wonderful community that supports them, delicious food, and a home now ready for insulation and drywall! Check back here in the new year for more big updates on Patriece’s Home!

a crowd is clapping around the front exterior of the home.

four students wave from the front porch of the home

a perspective image of the back corner of the home

Tags: #auburnarchitecture, auburn, Auburn University, Auburn University CADC, Auburn University Rural Studio, AuburnRuralStudio, auburnu, auburnuniversity, designbuild, leftovers, patrice'shome, patriceshome, patriece'shome, patriecehome, patrieceshome, rs5thyears, rsleftovers, ruralstudio

Until Next Time!

July 16, 2021

It has been a rollercoaster, but the end is here! The Horseshoe Courtyard team is departing and is officially handing over the beautiful, outdoor space to Project Horseshoe Farm!

Caleb finishing concrete — Caleb steadily broom-finishing the concrete

image of recently poured concrete — Caleb steadily broom-finishing the concrete

The last two weeks of site work were a mad dash to wrap up all things. During this time the team poured the concrete for the final sidewalk, spread the last four tons of slate, finished the brick pad, completed electrical, installed the flashing for the porch, and finally cleaned up the site. Whew!

Image of team and client in courtyard — Caleb, Claudia, and Dr. John Dorsey on the last day of site work

People sitting beneath trees — New group of Project Horseshoe Farm Fellows enjoying the calm space!

View of trees and concrte wall — Due to hardware delays caused by COVID, the gate will be installed at a later date.

Nightime image of north of courtyard — Designing the lighting was one of the final and most important tasks for the Horseshoe Courtyard. Lighting in the courtyard increases the useable hours for the space. To further the flexibility, a dimmer was added to adjust the lighting conditions according to the users’ needs.

Image of courtyard at night — Designing the lighting was one of the final and most important tasks for the Horseshoe Courtyard. Lighting in the courtyard increases the useable hours for the space. To further the flexibility, a dimmer was added to adjust the lighting conditions according to the users’ needs.

Bon Voyage!

“The team is incredibly thankful for the opportunity to have worked on this amazing project and for all the help and support that it received from the university, the Studio, our friends from the other teams, the community, and the client over the last year to finish!” ─ Caleb & Claudia

Learn more about the Horseshoe Courtyard project on our website here.

Tags: #5th-years, #alabama, #architectureschool, #auburnarchitecture, #auburnuniverisity, #bricksfordays, #courtyard, #designbuild, #greensboro, #metal, #projectHSF, #rsleftovers, #ruralstudio, #steel, #vines, #welding

In the Home Stretch

July 1, 2021

As the finish line for the Courtyard nears, the team has checked off many things on the to-do list, scroll down to see what they have been up to!

Capping the Wall

After many drill bits and muscle power, the team successfully attached the galvanized channel to the concrete wall! Thanks, Horseshoe Farm Fellow, Mary for your assistance! This channel not only makes the top of the wall look finished, it serves as a connection to the soon-to-be-installed gate. The gate will be anchored and grouted to the concrete foundation below ground, and then bolted to the channel at the top.

This channel, like many details in the project, has a reveal between the brick wall and itself

For a visually cleaner connection, the team decided to use countersunk concrete anchors that fastened the channel to the wall.

Wrapping the porch

Meanwhile, the gypsum board went up on the south porch and was shortly treated to a fresh coat of paint.

It’s Been Said That “Slate is Great”

Student spreading slate behind screen — Riley spreading “trail mix” by tall screens

Students spreading and tamping the slate — Riley spreading “trail mix” by tall screens

image of ground surfaces — Shot of all the different ground materials, shortly after slate was spread

The ground surfaces on the south end of the site were finished one early morning in June. Thanks to the help of the whole studio and some Horseshoe Farm Fellows, both the “trail mix,” meaning the bottom layer of the slate; and the “mini-chips,” the top layer were spread and tamped down by 9:00 a.m.!

Electrical in the ground and on walls and screens

Before the final layer of slate could go down, some electrical work needed to be finished. The team roughed in all conduit work in the ground and poured concrete columns along the west wall. These concrete columns held junction boxes in place for lights and kept the cover above ground to avoid water issues down the road. The ground work also included running conduit to two of the benches for electrical outlets, as well as attaching junction boxes to the screens for the lights that will light the active space.

image of outlet beneath bench — The outlets were lifted off the ground enough to remain above the finished grade

image of outlet — The outlets were lifted off the ground enough to remain above the finished grade

From the junction boxes seen in the image above, EMT conduit ran parallel to the screens, and onto channels that cantilever from the screens and hold lights in place. While the team laid all the conduit work in place, they worked with a licensed electrician for the wiring of the lights and outlets.

Team on scaffolding attaching metal to screens — The team also fastened the lights and EMT conduit to the masonry wall, following the five-foot grid.

Team on scaffolding installing electrical — The team also fastened the lights and EMT conduit to the masonry wall, following the five-foot grid.

Finishing the Benches

Once the metal legs for the benches were grouted, the sanded, routed, and sealed eight-inch square heavy timber pieces were secured to the legs.

pouring grout into form — Team installing benchtop

image of bench legs with slate — Team installing benchtop

Tags: #alabama, #architectureschool, #auburnarchitecture, #courtyard, #designbuild, #fifthyears, #metal, #projectHSF, #rsleftovers

The Wall is Up, and the Bricks are Down

April 18, 2021

The Horseshoe Courtyard project team is putting the final touches on the amazing outdoor space! Recently, they’ve poured the concrete entry wall, completed the brick pad, and began prepping the timber benches.

Students cutting melamine board — Smoothing out silicone on seams

Students attaching first wall of formwork — Smoothing out silicone on seams

Bucket brigade, students pouring concrete wall — The pour was made possible by a bucket brigade!

View of concrete wall — The pour was made possible by a bucket brigade!

A couple of weeks ago, the tallest pour the courtyard team has ever done took place! In preparation for the pour, they carefully assembled all the formwork and secured all the bracing. This bracing prevents the formwork from bulging once the concrete is placed into the formwork. An thus, a 9′ x 5′ 10″ wall came to fruition! The team used the same techniques tested with the mock-up for the wall. The only differences from the trial run being the rebar reinforcement and the chamfered edges. The 5th-years, as well as Andrew and Steve, helped by filling ad passing buckets of concrete to the top of the wall formwork. Thanks bucket brigade!

Sitting Surfaces

Stack of the cut timber, each bench will utilize two eight by eight cypress sections for the sitting surface

You may remember from the previous post, talk of benches and installations of the legs. Well, here we’ve got the sitting surfaces. The team is using heavy timbers leftover from the Newbern Town Hall project as the bench surface. In the images above, Caleb and Claudia are cutting the wood to 6 ft length which will be sanded, routed, and sealed. Next, they will attach the timber to the quarter-inch plates that make up the structure of the legs. During this time, they also excavated and poured the footing for the last bench!

The Completed Puzzle!

Folks, it is time to cut a rug on the best dance floor in Greensboro! After many, many days working on the brick pad, all bricks have been cleaned, placed, leveled, and sanded!

After placing all the bricks, the team removed the temporary wooden edging. Next, they installed the quarter-inch, galvanized steel edging. Some of the off-the-shelf pieces needed length modification so the team cut and welded them on-site.

After securing a corner at the right level, the team installed the first 16′ piece of metal edging. They adjusted the following legths to alighn with the first piece. The metal was clamped together and staked in placemet at the corners. Scrap wood was used to keep the edging flush against the bricks until backfilled. After all the edging was in place the bricks along the edge were readjusted.