A hands-on overview of how homes function behind the walls, covering structure, insulation, electrical, plumbing, and HVAC. The course focused on thermal and moisture control, weatherization, and identifying efficient, early-stage upgrades to improve performance and energy use.
“Anatomy of a House”
The main takeaway from this class came from an exercise taught by our instructor, Andy White. After learning the fundamentals, we were given 10–15 minutes to draw and build a house that reflected everything he had explained. The first attempt lacked clarity and structure. After taking it home, revisiting the material, and repeating the exercise the next day, the difference was immediately visible.
The exercise reinforced a few core lessons: being a beginner is often the most productive place to be; it’s okay to admit when you don’t know something; real understanding comes from doing, not just watching or listening; and when you can clearly explain a concept to someone else—by drawing it out or teaching it—you’ve truly mastered it.
