Students from the School of Architecture and Design traveled this January to the Dominican Republic to research site information for a school design with the Hostos Dream Project, Inc.  NYIT students have been working with the charitable organization to develop plans for a modular school made from shipping containers. Their model school design promotes self-sustainability by using recycled materials in construction, harvesting solar energy for daily needs, and teaching farming to nourish the pupils. 

 

 

The student team spent three days in Higuey visiting existing schools and promoting the project through local talk shows and press conferences. Students also spent time gathering information about the site donated by the town, recording soil and weather conditions, and studying the culture of the city. The project, and the student visit particularly, was well received by the public and the local government who have long awaited an answer to improving schools in their underserved communities.  

 

The trip was led by Professor Michele Bertomen. She was accompanied by her husband David Boyle and students; Giovanni Avanzi, Tony Grullon, Arianna Armelli, Benjamin Costabile, Brian Kerbeykian, Brian Strydom, Dyana Berthaud, Eunjee Park, John Min, Lena Savigne, Mahesh Rana, Mubashar Dastgir, Leisdania Reynoso, Stephanie Susanto, Wagdy Moussa, and Maureen Tua.  Information about the team and their progress can be found by visiting http://www.facebook.com/hostosdreamproject .