For the past decade, students from the Collaborative Architectural Project class have solved design problems for community organizations in the Monadnock region.

According to Peter Temple, associate professor of technology, design, and safety, the course, known as "Communicorps," emphasizes a team approach to solving real-life architectural problems.

This year, three students teams worked on plans for a shelter for homeless seniors in Swanzey, a fire station for Spofford, and a community center, also for Spofford.

Southwestern Community Services, based in Keene, asked their student team to design a living area for homeless seniors for their Carpenter House facility in Swanzey, N.H. This shelter, which will house up to a dozen men and women, will be the first of its kind in the country when completed.

Student teams worked on two projects for the village of Spofford. The current village fire station is housed in what used to be Spofford's community hall. However, this building is not large enough to run a fire rescue organization. Students were asked to locate a suitable property for a fire house and then to design the facility.

The students presented design plans and recommendations to City of Keene officials and representatives from the three organizations in May.

For more information about the Communicorps project, contact Peter Temple at 603-358-2978 or ptemple@keene.edu.