As a leading Airdrie home builder, McKee Homes is passionate about sharing our knowledge of and deep love for crafting homes, while helping youth discover construction and business skills, community leadership, and rewarding career opportunities. That’s why we created the Building Futures program in partnership with Rocky View School Division in 2013.
Through Building Futures, our team teaches grade 10 students about the trades and home building, while they work with and learn from our expert trade partners to build a home from the ground up. The process includes everything from design, surveying, drafting, and construction to the staging, marketing, and sales of the home. During the year, our students also have the opportunity to learn from industry professionals about credit, mortgages, and lending.
“It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity,” said Ryan McCracken, 16. “You don’t see that very often where you get to go and build two houses from the ground up, and also learn your Grade 10 curriculum.”
Help us build brighter futures today.
As we gear up for the 2024/25 school year, the excitement is growing! Building on the success of our 11th year, we're ready to dive into another year of hands-on learning, creativity, and growth. Our students will once again have the incredible opportunity to work alongside our amazing trade partners & Ryan, Sean, and the amazing Sheri McAlister, as we take on new projects and continue our Building Futures Program. The 2024/25 school year is shaping up to be our best yet, and we can’t wait to see the amazing things our students will accomplish!
Building Futures is not possible without the amazing support of our team of trades who demonstrate their knowledge and pride in their professions as part of construction of a new home. From start to finish, there are so many trade and supplier professionals that we would like to recognize and thank for their support and commitment to our students during their involvement in the construction of the home. Our Construction Project Manager Sheri orchestrates the project from start to finish and her commitment to the learning experience for the students is exemplary. Throughout the process, Sheri is supported from time to time by other departments within our company who bring their experience in design, sales, safety, business and warranty to the students.
Surveying involves the precise measurement and mapping of the construction site to establish boundaries and the placement of stakes to complete the construction. With a combination of cutting-edge technology and traditional fieldwork, land surveyors play a crucial role in setting up the project for future success.
Excavating is the process of digging, removing, and reshaping the earth to start the construction process. Heavy machinery and skilled expertise, excavators transform the site, making way for the start of the construction project.
In the world of construction, the foundation process is essential, laying the groundwork for stability, resilience, and longevity. This crucial phase involves grading, and concrete pouring, setting the stage for the structure. Skilled professionals carefully analyze soil conditions, ensuring that the foundation can withstand the test of time and external forces.
This pivotal phase involves the assembly of the building’s skeleton, where wooden or steel frames are arranged to outline rooms, walls, and openings. Carpenters and builders, carefully and precisely create the framework of the upcoming project.
Plumbing and HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) is the process of ensuring a comfortable and efficient environment. Skilled plumbers and HVAC technicians meticulously install the network of pipes, fixtures, and ducts that deliver essential services throughout the home.
The electrical process is more than just connecting wires; it’s powering the essentials that make a space functional and dynamic. From ambient lighting that sets the mood to the web of outlets powering our devices, this process transforms a blueprint into a fully functional environment.
The siding process in construction is adding both aesthetic appeal and protective functionality to a structure. Skilled craftsmen install siding materials, whether it be classic vinyl, durable fiber cement, or the timeless charm of wood, creating an outer shell that protects the home from the elements.
This step includes installing materials that act as the home’s thermal protection, preventing the escape of precious warmth in winter and maintaining a cool temperature during hot summers. Carefully applied to surfaces, this barrier shields the home from potential damage caused by condensation, mold, and other moisture-related issues.
Drywall installers skillfully hang and finish these drywall panels, transforming the skeletal framework into smooth, seamless walls. This process not only provides a polished aesthetic but also serves as the foundation for the final stages of interior design.
As the construction journey progresses, the primer and paint process infuses life and personality into the blank canvas of drywall. A skilled painter carefully applies primer, creating a smooth foundation that ensures the paint adheres seamlessly. This crucial step not only enhances durability but also serves as the canvas on which the chosen color will truly shine in the home.
Students complete a final project at the end of the term that is personal to them. Here are some of those amazing projects brought to life.
Building on a foundation of quality, honesty, and integrity, McKee Homes has become one of the most highly sought after Airdrie home builders.
