For high school students in the Boulder Valley School District in Boulder, Colorado, shop class just got an upgrade.
As part of the Boulder MOD project, these students spend part of their school day across the street from the school district’s Technical Education Center in a newly-opened factory.
In 2024, the city of Boulder, the Boulder Valley School District, and Habitat for Humanity Flatirons unveiled a 31,375-square-foot solar-powered factory where students earn class credit while confronting the ever-growing affordable housing crisis.
Together, they construct all-electric, solar-powered, modular townhomes that can house two families apiece.
“The factory produces high-performance, permanently affordable homes on a predictable schedule, creating a local supply chain for modular units that enables cost control, efficiency and reliability,” a statement from the city of Boulder shared.
“Homes produced at Boulder MOD will contribute to the city’s goal of ensuring that 15% of all homes in Boulder are permanently affordable by 2035.”
Plus, it teaches young professionals valuable skills with a real-world impact.
“I think it's absolutely amazing that we've come together and built this," Elan Castillo-Veltman, a senior at Centaurus High School and a second-year student at the Boulder MOD, told Denver7 News.
Castillo-Veltman has already been able to connect with a solar energy company, which will be his future employer, thanks to his work in the factory.
“Now I can literally leave the school and go right into a job,” he added.
The factory, which opened last fall, has been in the works since 2022. Students began working at the center’s construction class in February of this year, and the goal is for operations to scale up so that students are producing a house every two weeks.
“Our mission is simple but bold,” Habitat for Humanity Flatirons shared on its website, “Build high-quality, affordable homes — while building the next generation of skilled tradespeople.”
One of the 25 students at Boulder MOD is Sophia McPhee, who told Boulder Daily Camera that she wasn’t initially interested in construction trades but took a chance on this program.
“I’m really enjoying it,” she said. “I’m learning important life skills. It’s more real-world work experience in the factory than working in our shop.”
This partnership has led to statewide recognition for Boulder MOD, which was honored with the Eagle Award by Housing Colorado this year. The award is given to outstanding programs that advance affordable housing across the state.
“This award recognizes more than a building method — it celebrates a bold collaboration that is transforming what affordable housing can look like,” Dan McColley, executive director of Habitat for Humanity Flatirons, said in a statement.
“Boulder MOD isn’t just building homes; it’s building futures, empowering students, and creating pathways to homeownership for local families.”
The first homes produced at the factory are scheduled to be set on their foundations soon, providing affordable housing to families who would otherwise not have the opportunity to become homeowners.
Boulder MOD is the first Habitat-run modular factory, but other Habitat chapters are building or considering building more, the Boulder Daily Camera reported.
With an award under their (tool) belts, and an emerging blueprint for success, those behind the program say: The more the merrier.
“The students are doing great,” Habitat factory manager Daniel Sisso told Boulder Daily Camera. “I wish I had twice as many.”
And for Boulder Valley School District Superintendent Dr. Rob Anderson, the pride is palpable.
“Boulder Mod is at the apex of what we want for our students,” he said in a statement.
“They are learning the construction trade, giving them a leg up in their career, while directly making a difference for members of our community.”
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Header image courtesy of the city of Boulder
