// Looking back on this process I realize what a unique privilege it has been to be a part of a team with so much heart. I have packed years of learning into the past 14 months and have the individuals on this team to thank for that. Even in the most stressful frustrating hours I will find myself inspired by a team member and their approach to a problem.

One of the best moves that our respective schools made was to completely let the students take on all responsibilities of this project. Refract House has been completely student managed student designed and student built, we make decisions as a team and our educators act as crucial but peripheral support. This allowed for all the students involved to explore roles and responsibilities and discover their personal strengths and develop those talents. As you walk through the house and as you peruse our website I hope you are as awed as I am by what students can accomplish on all of these levels.

Besides the near perfect and extremely difficult execution of the design that our team has managed to wrangle out of the construction process we bring a lot of innovations and rethinking of residential living that I am very proud of. Part of this is our commitment to interdisciplinary design. We have taken it beyond the integration of Architecture and engineered systems to incorporating and rethinking landscape design, product design, artistic expression, and local sustainable crafts when dressing our house. It has been a pleasure to work with the artists who have contributed to the house. They have added their sustainable ideals and craft and have further inspired everyone involved.

Preet asked me to write about some of my favorite moments and what I’ve learned from this project. My favorite times were the 3 weeks before the CD set was due to the D.O.E. When we really pulled together as a team and started cranking out all the ideas and beautiful drawings. At that point I felt like we started to realize what a good well oiled talented team we had the potential to be. I also love going to the site and actually working on the house. Its been so fun to see people getting excited by what we’re building. One of my major lessons has been in the arena of communication, and how important a drawing is, even a sketch speaks a thousand words.

There are a lot of students to recognize on this project. People who have been working on fundraising, the graphic designers, model makers, communications teams, drafters, the labor loving construction team, artists, crafts people, subcontractors and expert advisors.

But mainly I want to say: Dan I’m doing this for you buddy,

Annessa Mattson

// Thanks to everyone who came to support us at the send-off event! From the curious individual who wanted to know more about the project to the terrific speakers who were lauding our efforts, Thank You. All of our numerous late nights are worth it when we get such enthusiasm from our community.

The event was organized by the terrific staff of Santa Clara University as well as Kadee Mardula.

Despite the terrific sendoff, lets not forget that the main show is yet to come. We're looking forward to more support as we go to DC. Stay in touch with us through our blog, our facebook page, and our twitter feed!

(Pictured left to right: Michael Engh SJ, Paul Locatelli SJ, CEO Mike Splinter, Congress Woman Patricia Mahan)