Giving Back · A High Mountain Concepts Initiative
SOAR — Inspiring the Next Generation
SOAR (Student Organization Achieving Results) is a Gunnison Valley nonprofit founded by our principals. It connects building professionals with local students to design and build real homes in the valley — a hands-on model of interdisciplinary education.
Design
Students design a real house, working alongside architects, engineers, and designers.
Build
They build it on site with the High Mountain Concepts team and local trade professionals.
Reinvest
Homes sold on the open market create a revenue stream for local schools, so the program sustains itself and funds the next build.
What Students Learn
- Architectural design
- Building code
- Design guidelines
- Structural engineering
- Energy flow in buildings
- Public speaking
- Business administration
- Interior design
- Construction techniques
- Construction safety
- Finish carpentry
- Building materials & technology
The Projects
A Home for Town Employees · Crested Butte
SOAR’s first project, in partnership with the Town of Crested Butte: students designed and built a home for town employee housing. Funded by the Town, it proved this model of education works.
A Student-Built Duplex · CB South
Students design and build each unit in turn. Donations and 0% interest loans fund construction, and proceeds from the sale repay the loans and launch the next project.