Grand Rapids – April 3, 2008 – The Michigan Association of Home Builders and Green Built™ Michigan today announced a call for entries for the 2008 Student Home Design Competition at the Great Lakes Green 2008 conference/exhibition August 21-23 in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

The competition, sponsored by the Michigan Propane Gas Association, will award scholarships to students showing excellence in green home design. Competition encourages students to create designs for the future of green home construction

“Students interested in pursuing a career in the building sciences, architecture or any construction-related field have the opportunity to learn, have fun and earn money for school,” says Rich Kogelschatz, president Heartland Builders LLC and chair of Great Lakes Green 2008. “As individuals or as a team, students will create designs that show off their vision for the future of green home construction.”

The competition is divided into three categories promoting student entrants from varied educational backgrounds including undergraduate or college students; high school, vocational or trade school students; and intermediate/middle school students. The skill-level required for each design entry correlates with educational background.

Undergraduate or College Students

Individuals or teams of up to five are asked to design and provide detailed construction drawings, specifications, and selections of a “green” built home based on the NAHB Model Green Building Guidelines. The winning individual or team will receive a $5,000 scholarship.

High School, Vocational or Trade School Students

Individuals or teams of up to three are asked to design and provide illustrative construction drawings and details of a “green” built home based on the NAHB Model Green Building Guidelines. The winning individual or team will receive a $3,000 scholarship.

Intermediate/Middle School Students

Individual students are asked to contemplate the different aspects of building “green.” Students are asked to provide a 500-word written essay and either a conceptual sketch/illustration or collage of their “green” home. The winner will choose from a Playstation 3 or a $400 US Savings Bond.

Each design will be judged on the economical implementation of the design and the completeness of the requirements. “Judges include an architect, builder, energy rater, building code official, interior designer and a member of the public,” says Greg Powell, owner of Powell Construction Services, LLC and president of the Michigan Association of Home Builders.

To enter the competition, each participant or team must submit a completed registration form and entry fee to the Michigan Association of Home Builders no later than May 5, 2008. Projects must be physically delivered to the Michigan Association of Home Builders office no later than August 15th, 2008 at 5pm. The top five projects will be exhibited at the Great Lakes Green 2008 conference/exhibition for the final level of judging on August 22, 2008.

To learn more about the 2008 Student Home Design Competition sponsored by the Michigan Propane Gas Association, including submission forms, rules and project regulations, visit the Great Lakes Green 2008 web site at: www.greatlakesgreen2008.com

Great Lakes Green 2008 is sponsored by Michigan Association of Home Builders, Green Built Michigan, Wege Foundation, MASCO, Whirlpool Corporation, Nu-Wool, Floorheat, WaterFurnace, Habitat for Humanity and Michigan Association of Realtors.

About Green Built™ Michigan

Green Built Michigan, Inc. is a non-profit 501(c)3 education, training and certification organization affiliated with home builder associations across Michigan since 2001. Green Built serves as an education resource to all members of the building community and homeowners who are interested in learning more about residential green construction. Green building offers homeowners the opportunity to have a safer, healthier, energy efficient and environmentally friendly home. For more information about Green Built Michigan’s members and programs, go to GreenBuiltMichigan.org.

About Michigan Association of Home Builders

The Michigan Association of Home Builders (MAHB) is a professional trade association representing nearly 10,000 members. The MAHB’s membership includes homebuilders and other professionals in the building industry. Affiliated with 33 local home builder associations across the state, the MAHB works to positively promote the building industry and impact legislative, regulatory and legal issues affecting housing affordability. For more information on the Michigan Association of Home Builders, go to BuildingMichigan.org.