Question 1

What kinds of projects does SHAC actually build?

Accepted Answer

Past and current projects include THIMBY (a net-zero energy off-grid tiny house that won second place at California's first Tiny House student competition), HEARTH (a hybrid equitable and resilient transitional home built for the Solar Decathlon 2021), RISE (a modular stackable home for the Solar Decathlon 2017), and the Richmond Backyard Homes program, which pilots tiny houses on wheels in residential backyards to shelter unhoused individuals.

Question 2

Do I need to be an engineering or architecture student to join?

Accepted Answer

SHAC describes its work as interdisciplinary, drawing from political, urban planning, architectural, systems, and engineering theory, suggesting the club welcomes students from a range of majors.

Question 3

What is the SEED Center?

Accepted Answer

The SEED Center is part of a larger SEAD Village project, an artist-maker community village composed of up to 30 residential units. SHAC is actively fundraising to make the SEED Center a reality, with a focus on supporting disadvantaged Bay Area youth.

Question 4

Is there a course connected to SHAC?

Accepted Answer

Yes, SHAC offers a DeCal course listed on their site.

Question 5

Does SHAC work with real community members and clients?

Accepted Answer

Yes. For example, THIMBY 2.0 involved helping Constance, a formerly homeless bus driver, convert her bus into a home, working alongside the homeless transition program GRIP and employing professionals from within the unhoused community.

Sustainable Housing at California