As an instructor of building construction and carpentry, John Kane with the South Baldwin Center for Technology in Robertsdale, works hard to keep up with the latest trends in the industry.

“We are constantly in contact with the Baldwin County and Alabama Homebuilders associations,” he said, “along with local homebuilders to find out what we need to add and what we need to take out of the cirriculum.”

So when Charlene Lee with Smart Coast approached Kane about building a structure to illustrate the latest environmentally friendly construction materials and home products, Kane saw the project as an opportunity for both a teaching and a learning experience.

“I guess you could say this has been a learning experience for the teacher as well as the students,” said Kane, who has taught at SBCT for 19 years and was in the construction business before that. “I was not what you’d call a ‘green’ person before we started, but I’ve really learned a lot. Really everything we did here makes good sense both for the environment and, in the long run with the energy and cost savings, economically.”

The 8-foot by 8-foot structure was built to be easily taken apart and transported to Green Coast Conference, which will be held Wednesday and Thursday, April 9-10 at the Arthur Outlaw Convention Center in Mobile.

The main structure is constructed of Blu-Wood, supplied by Edgefield Lumber Company in Loxley. The construction material, so named for the tint of the product used to treat the lumber, is resistant to mold and rot.

Architect Rebecca Dunn, who designed the structure, also provided students and teacher with a new environmentally friendly construction technique designed to better retain heat in the winter and cool air in the summer.

The environmentally friendly Pella Energy Star Windows are also designed to retain heat and cool.

Inside, the walls are reinforced with paperless sheetrock that is also resistant to mold. The expandable foam insulation provided by Advanced Foam Insulation, is also designed to be both environmentally friendly, more energy efficient and resistent to breakdown.

Bamboo, a renewable resource was used for the flooring, along with carpet made from recycled material.

“Bamboo is something that has been used for years in China,” Kane said. “While a traditionally material like pine can take up to 50 years to grow back, bamboo can be regrown in as little as three years.”

The structure also features energy efficient florescent lighting and plumbing structures also designed to be more energy efficient and environmentally friendly.

In all 16 students from Robertsdale, Foley, Fairhope and Gulf Shores worked on the project, which was begun at the beginning of the school year and just recently completed.

“Our first term students did much of the research on the materials,” Kane said, “while our second term students actually put the structure together.”

Students from both the basic carpentry morning class and the introduction to carpentry afternoon class participated in the project.

Students from Ron Howell’s welding classes also helped with the project, helping to build a base for the project and helping with transportation.

The Baldwin County Homebuilders Association, Alabama Homebuilders Association, Baldwin County Habitat for Humanity and Daphne Utilities also provided suppport for the project.

“This project really didn’t include anything that we don’t already teach, we just added the use of environmentally friendly products,” Kane said. “This really has been a worthwhile project and I’m really glad we were a part of it. I also want to thank our principal (Kendall) Mowdy and all of the teachers and staff for their support of this project.”