Architectural Design Volunteer

About the Organization

Long Way Home is a 501(c)3 that envisions communities equipped to innovate and act responsibly in the face of local and global challenges. Through promoting green building, employment, and education, Long Way Home mobilizes people to actively participate in democracy and create innovative pathways to economic and environmental justice.

Since 2009, the focus of the organization has been on building an 18-building green-designed campus in San Juan Comalapa, Guatemala. We've used more than 450 tons of trash and over 15,500 tires in our construction so far! On the campus, we serve 140 K-11 students who study a curriculum that integrates project-based learning and the green building process to cultivate employability and democratic participation skills for a 21^st century, climate-stressed world.

In addition to education, we train and employ local green builders who carry out our many green construction projects in Comalapa and throughout Guatemala. In 2020 this team will be focused on completing the school campus, beginning construction on volunteer housing next to campus, and completing a variety of partner projects in other areas of Guatemala.

About the Job

Long Way Home is looking for a highly motivated, collaborative thinker. We are a small organization and therefore require a team of high-energy individuals, passionate about making a difference. The ideal candidate has experience in using architecture design software, such as RCAD, and can help LWH put together a compelling portfolio detailing our green building style and architectural impact on the environment and the local community. This position will work alongside our construction and design teams and will collaborate on a variety of community-responsive and environmentally-friendly/ecologically conscious building projects.

 Responsibilities:

 ●     Work alongside our construction leaders to better understand the LWH green building practices

●     Data Collection - Google Drive

o  Creating 3D computer models and inputting materials / colours to render realistic images of current and previous projects

o  Uploading blueprints and building plans for current and previous projects

o  Facilitating progress photos of current projects

o  Sequencing the photos to prepare for a video

o  Creating a materials list for each new project upon completion

●     Collaborate with our Construction Team Leader and Executive Director to create documentation drafts for client communications

o  Creating a timeline for the project works, which can also include all phases from; designing, contract/admin preparations, permits, material procurement, site works, different construction works, expected construction completion, and occupancy

o  Outline the responsibilities of the Company / Client (ie Client needs to provide site plans, or Company needs to do a site visit before proceeding, etc)

o  Writing Memorandum of Agreement and/or Contract for Design and Construct to include all project requirements and Client / Company responsibilities/liabilities

Qualifications:

●     Currently enrolled in a Bachelor or Master’s program related to architecture

●     A self-starter (comfortable working with little direct supervision)

●     Experience and proficiency using architectural software (such as RCAD)

●     Access to personal technology (laptop/tablet)

●     Access to relevant software (e.g. RCAD)

●     Good attitude, team player, motivation to help out and be flexible

Educational Objectives:

 The following objectives guide the design of this volunteer position

●     Gain experience in the creation of a unique architectural portfolio

●     Better understand alternative building materials and the environmental impact of green building

●     Become well-versed in the methods and applications of green design and building

●     Understand why and how green design should be made accessible in low-resourced and climate-stressed communities

●     Develop intercultural and interdisciplinary teamwork skills

●     Gain insights into opportunities, risks, and limitations for achieving quality education, economic justice, and environmental health in marginalized communities

●     Proficiency in writing professional reports to address identified challenges and provide workable solutions

●     Develop skills and competencies that transfer to future work situations

Academic Level

Junior, Senior, prospective graduate student, enrolled in graduate school, working on a master’s thesis, working on a doctoral thesis, a postdoctoral scholar 

Area of Interest

Sustainable Construction, Education, Government, Nonprofit, Engineering, Environmental Science, Social Justice, Global Liberal Studies, NGOs, Public Health, Graphic Design, Latin American Studies, International Studies, Journalism, Business, Social Sciences, Anthropology, Social & Cultural Analysis, Social Work, Political Science, Law/Pre-law, Liberal Arts, Liberal Studies, Interdisciplinary Studies, Social Impact, Government and NGOs

Compensation

Upon successful completion of this volunteer opportunity, the volunteer is offered free admission ($1,200 value) to our month-long Green Building Academy in July 2021 - https://www.lwhome.org/academy