Weber State University students Janae Thomas and Whitney Mabey are leveraging specialized expertise in construction management and building design to tackle Utah's housing affordability and energy efficiency challenges through the Solar Decathlon program.
Addressing Housing Affordability
Janae Thomas, a student at Weber State University, is focusing her professional efforts on demonstrating how net-positive new builds and energy-efficient retrofits can provide economic solutions to the housing crisis. Thomas, who is working toward a degree in Construction Management, aims to complete her studies debt-free by April 2020. She has expressed that showcasing homes that are both economically sound and energy efficient is a way to address air quality and affordability issues along the Wasatch Front.
Real Estate and Management Experience
Thomas brings significant practical experience to her studies, having obtained a real estate license during her first semester back at school. Her professional background includes project managing a 2,400-square-foot residential remodel, which involved remediating 20 years of smoke damage and resulting in a 12% return on investment. To date, she has grossed over $200,000 in returns for her investors and manages more than $1 million in assets as a property manager.
Workforce Development and Community Service
A lifelong interest in construction shaped Thomas's career path, stemming from spending Saturday afternoons at her father's engineering office. In addition to her academic pursuits, she works in workforce development at Weber State University, where she connects high school students to the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) industry. She also serves on a scholarship committee for the CREW Network to help connect individuals with economic opportunities.
Technical Design and Drafting
Whitney Mabey, a senior at Weber State University, is applying her technical skills to the Solar Decathlon as part of her Bachelor of Integrated Studies in Building Design and Construction. Mabey, who has a long-standing interest in residential construction dating back to her childhood visits to model homes, has served as a drafter for Silverpeak Engineering for two years.
Integration of Design and Construction
Mabey's three years of total drafting experience, which includes working on both residential and commercial plans, has made her an active member of the Solar Decathlon drafting team. Through the program, Mabey has focused on the integration of design and construction processes to see how architectural plans function in practical application.
Future Environmental Impact
For both students, the Solar Decathlon serves as a platform to study the intersection of building footprints and future environmental impacts. Thomas noted that the program has taught her about green construction concepts and the factors that influence housing affordability, emphasizing the importance of creating a better living environment for future generations.
Professional Outlook
The efforts of Thomas and Mabey represent a focus on connecting students and the broader community to sustainable learning opportunities. Thomas indicated that she intends to continue replicating the experiences gained through the Solar Decathlon throughout her professional career in the construction and real estate sectors.
