You see, this is why I want to be a Professor: to have minions build me what ever I want. Next semester build me a statue of me 12 feet tall, that shoots lasers out of my eyes.

This and the tenure

It's an interesting project for students but, where are this woman's ethics?

That is too cute. I want one.

@Comicgeek - Those students got to put this down on their resume, and for all you know they were graded on it - this isn't all that different from having students do any other kind of research. As long as the professor isn't profiting from their work, or claiming it as her own (which she isn't), then I don't really see what the problem is.

It is very unethical. Grad students are paid to do research. Unless this lady paid them, it is a problem for Berkeley and might be reported to ethics committee, sorry @jelouise, it is true.

Some grad students do research. And quite often that research is in support of a university or professor's project. Design students are hungry for the opportunity to include realized projects in their portfolio. They certainly got graded and hopefully had the opportunity to work with respected professionals in their field. In interview situations I always asked which projects are purely classroom projects and which are actual realized designs and how that process went. It's always telling.

You can look at it as the professor got a free design. I would hope she paid for the materials but who knows. And I can't believe she wasn't capable of just doing it herself. You can also look at it as if she gave up designing it herself so that a student(s) had the opportunity to include a finished project in their portfolio.

All I know is I stayed in grad school an extra semester in order to have an extra design in my portfolio. They also allowed me to continue my waived tuition status and extended my assistantship that was enough to live on.

Oh and quite often these stituations out in the field lead to jobs.

I do not like to comment on open online forums, simply because of the distaste I have for those who take it as an opportunity to be really snarky and mean.

However, I needed to share this link with you: http://www.ced.berkeley.edu/component/option,com_extcalendar/Itemid,0/&Itemid=/extmode,view/extid,1494/

As a bay area grad student, I understand the Professor's motivation. Not only was the entire University of California behind this project , but there were many players supporting this project. It is highly regarded as a strong model for advancement in the enviro-construction industry, provided novices (grad students) the outstanding opportunity to not only work with reputable professionals and have their work publicized, but also gave the students the chance to manage their own project. The university and an external grant helped fund some of the project. This is not out of the ordinary. This is what we call "in the field" experience! Any program that encourages and cultivates out of the classroom experience is progressive and beneficial to students and their studies.

I commend the professor for offering up a space for the students and the design teams of Avenue Homes, and for putting so much trust and encouragement in the project.

I would love to see AT forums used as a place for productive and constructive dialogue, rather than an outpost for those angry folks.

Isn't this pretty common in design and architecture classes? I would think most students would love the chance to work on a project which would actually get built, which is not common when you're a student. Considering this was reported in the Chronicle of Higher Education, I highly doubt there are any ethical issues here at all.

...the bigger question is how hard was it to get her neighbors and the planners to sign off on.....also just because it is net-zero doesn't mean it is a marvelous design...

If I were one of her grad students, I would be THRILLED to have something to do other than theory.

Back on topic, this is really, really cool! I'm going to steal those cabinets.

This seems wrong. It doesn't pass the smell test.

jelouise - Um, this professor got her backyard cottage done for FREE LABOR from her students? That is profiting and very unethical!

ChrisGal--not unethical at all. quite common for students to in various disciplines to do lots of work for no pay. it's called education, whereby the students get practical experience, and it's been going on for centuries.

loislane -- Yes usually volunteering or as an intern - not redoing your professors' guest house so to speak. Considering a lot of parents are forking at least a percentage of their children's tuition in college, I doubt they'd be happy this is where their money is going.

From the link provided by shellyj, one learns that the students only designed the place, didn't build it, and that even the designing was in conjunction with structural engineers.

Professional engineers and builders were brought in to do the actual construction. I recently built a similar guest cottage in my backyard, except 300 sq ft and with a gambrel roof. Trust me, the design process was not complicated, and I have no design/architectural experience whatsoever. Let's all take a deep breath, would be my suggestion.

Anyway. I think the lapeyre stairs are amazing. If the commenter who scorned them has plans for telescoping lapeyres, I would be so grateful to see them, I'd love to build some!

The cabinets are Ikea's Adel Medium Brown.