Vanier Arch Tech Students Volunteer Design Skills during the Pandemic

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Architectural Technology students at Vanier College are showing tremendous initiative during the pandemic by volunteering their skills to help essential organizations in need of architectural services.

Second-year Arch-Tech students Alissa Muro, Tuan Anh Phan, Aleah Pompura and Ellen Ung participated in the design of social-distancing measures at Education Plus, an alternative school for de-motivated youth located near Vanier College. The reception desk was in need of barriers to limit the potential spread of viruses, given the volume of traffic at the school.

Students quickly tackled the task and proposed several options to EdPlus principal James Watts and administrator Kim Watts. The options ranged from a traditional plexiglass screen with simple opening, to an elaborate array of plexiglass coupled with physical barriers to force social distancing.

All work was done remotely, of course.

“Our department always encourages community engagement. Given the pandemic, our students were eager to volunteer their design skills to help organizations deemed essential. I reached out to James on behalf of my students, and he embraced their willingness to volunteer,” says Michael Lancione, architect and teacher in the Architectural Technology department.

“Even though we are all working remotely, our sense of community and encouragement for one another has been stronger than ever. I’ve felt restless since being home during this time, and this project gives me the opportunity to contribute, volunteer my skills, and play a valuable part in the fight against COVID-19,” says Aleah.

“Everyone is going through this difficult time, so we must pull together and lend a helping hand. I therefore decided to volunteer my newly-acquired design skills learned as a student at Vanier to help local organizations,” says Ellen.

Arch-tech students will also propose a redesign of other spaces at Education Plus, with social-distancing measures in classrooms. Students Javier Velasquez, Nicholas Ouellette and Gioacchino Tenuta have volunteered to tackle this next phase of the initiative. Designs will likely involve moveable partitions, foldable plexiglass barriers on student workstations, and more generous spacing between desks.

Students are also exploring similar volunteer initiatives with other essential organizations in need of design services during this pandemic.

Pictured is a Zoom session with Ellen, Aleah and Michael of Vanier College presenting the student design initiatives to James and Kim of Education Plus.