SAN ANTONIO – Students at the Construction Careers Academy on the campus of Warren High School have completed a very impressive, nearly year-long project -- building three homes out of shipping containers.
"The main reason we did this is because it is so unique," said junior Joshua Cook, who also did electrical work on the project.
The houses all have a sleeping area, modern kitchens with granite counter tops and modern bathrooms.
One house was built completely energy-efficient. It features argon windows, LED lights and a water collection system, which funnels condensation from the AC unit and rain water into a 500-gallon barrel.
"We are going to have four solar panels on the roof. When it is installed, it will be able to produce 1,000 watts and run the house completely off-grid," Cook said.
Another home is handicap accessible from the kitchen to the bathroom. With 400 square feet, there is more wheelchair room and lower light switches.
Then there is the 470-square-foot "mancave" that is not exclusively for men, especially since the construction manager was senior Natalie Danda. The recreation room comes complete with big screen TVs, room for a huge couch, a nice size fridge and a big table for eating and playing games. It also has a big bedroom, the only enclosed bedroom in the three homes.
People who have toured the homes with the possibility of buying them were impressed.
"A group of ladies come in yesterday (Thursday) and they were like, 'Y'all built this?' We were like, 'Yeah!'" Danda said.
The school will hold a parade of homes and auction Saturday at 11 a.m.