OA Architecture Awareness Club project holds sentimental meaning

On Feb. 16, members of the Owego-Apalachin (OA) Architecture Awareness Club presented their annual project at an event held at Newark Valley Middle School. This year’s project, an adaptive re-use of the former Murphy house, a Folk Victorian property that dates back to 1853 and located at 1235 Sulphur Springs Rd. in Owego, holds extra-special meaning for two of the club members.

The program, now in its 22nd year, is led by technology education teacher, Don Shultz, and with help this year from art teacher Jolene Williams, allowed students not only an introduction to architecture, but linked all disciplines and subjects.

Students learned to work together to make decisions and created a model using state-of-the-art equipment such as a laser engraver, a laser measurer and a 3D printer.

Shultz commented, “It is an inter-disciplinary activity that takes a great deal of planning, time and teamwork. Students learn responsibility and accountability, too.”

The students, a group of 18, also had the opportunity to network with Tioga County Historian, Emma Sedore. They have presented their project to the local Elks and Rotary groups, and in the near future, the club will present their project to the OA School Board and the Preservation Association of the Southern Tier.  

For tenth grade student Emily Murphy and her sister Abby, a seventh grade student at OA Schools, the project was a bittersweet reminder of their Sulphur Springs Road home that was severely damaged in a fire in November 2013. Personal belongings and family keepsakes were lost, along with two beloved cats, yet the project helped bring a sense of closure to the tragedy.

After several meetings, the club opted to repurpose the Murphy house into the “Sulphur Springs General Store,” a decision that fit the project description of “a benefit to the community.”  

Emily and Abby explained that many factors were discussed, such as the fact that the property was close to large businesses and the highway.

“We tailored it to the surrounding area,” Emily shared, and added, “The general store idea fit the demographics well.”

Abby commented, “We started with twelve to twenty ideas and narrowed them down. Two ideas we also considered were a hunting lodge and a donut shop.”

Initial planning started in July, prior to the start of the school year, and once school began the club met twice weekly until the final finishing touches were added, such as placing a petite-sized U.S. Flag just off the front porch.

Throughout the years, Shultz has taught his students how important it is to be resourceful, too. For example, the shingles on the house are from a large supply of sand paper he has kept on hand, given to him by a local business, and the trim used for the frame placed behind the house was from a local hardwood wholesale / retail supplier who donated the materials they would have otherwise scrapped.  

Remarkably, every piece constructed for the project was built six different times, and the best piece was selected for the final version.  

Emily chuckled, “We’re a club of perfectionists.”

Shultz added, “It’s all in learning about the quality of work involved.”

Williams added her art expertise while advising and coaching the students on the finished frame and painting the landscape background.

A brief history of the home is also part of the presentation. Abby explained that a hair salon had operated out of the property in the past, as did a mink farm. A hint of older history, the house was also complete with a dumb waiter and servants’ quarters, and a separate porch to the right of the main home had been removed more recently. For the project, the club opted to add the second small porch back on.

A “floating” bench was also placed, an item from Shultz’s family, and something that has reappeared on every project for the last 22 years. Interestingly, a tool has always been left behind inside the completed projects, and for the Murphy house, Emily and Abby chose an antique-looking screwdriver they found amongst Shultz’s collection.       

Today, a new owner has started fixing up the old Murphy house, and that sits well with Emily and Abby, who now live nearby. In fact, they shared positive remarks about the changes, and are eager to keep up with the progress. 

An idea to display several of the Architecture Club completed projects inside cases at the school for visitors to enjoy was discussed, and in June, the Murphy house project will be displayed at a tech exhibit at the Oakdale Mall for three days.