At Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology, education is measured not just in credits earned, but in communities strengthened. This June, that mission earned one of its highest recognition, as the College’s annual Home Construction Project took top honors in its category at the Lancaster Parade of Homes. This award was earned competing directly alongside professional builders from across the region.
A Win Built by Student Hands
The home, located at 625 Stevens Avenue on the southwest side of Lancaster City, earned Best in Show in its category: Townhome, Duplex or Condo, Division 1, for homes valued between $300,000 and $392,800. The recognition did not stop there. The student-built home also claimed Best Exterior, Best Interior Design, Best Kitchen, Best Bathroom, and Best Décor within the category.
Every detail of the home, from the architectural plans to the finished cabinetry, from the custom bar top to the one-of-a-kind wallpaper, was the work of students. The home’s design itself was created by a student in the College’s Architectural Technology program, and between 150 and 200 students contributed across all phases of construction, representing 10 academic programs.
A Tradition of Excellence, Rooted in Community
Thaddeus Stevens College students have been building homes in and around Lancaster City for more than 70 years. Each year, the project brings together students from programs including Carpentry, Masonry, Plumbing, Electrical, HVACR, Cabinetmaking, and more, giving them the kind of hands-on, real-world experience that launches careers and creates immediate impact in the communities where they live and work.
This year’s project carries particular meaning. The two duplexes built by students this academic year will be sold as affordable housing, directly addressing one of the region’s most pressing needs. At a time when Lancaster County faces a significant shortage of affordable units for lower-income households, the Bulldog community is not just learning to build, it is helping to solve.
What Hands-On Education Looks Like
Faculty led the project from start to finish, guiding students through every phase: site preparation, framing, plumbing, electrical systems, cabinetry, and the custom finishing details that set this home apart. The result is a home that stands as proof of what technical education can produce, and what it can mean for families and communities far beyond the classroom.
At Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology, achievements like these are an expression of our mission: to create access to opportunity, and to connect students to high-demand careers that transform futures and strengthen communities. This Best in Show award belongs to every student who picked up a tool and got to work.