Learning the importance of sustainability in a whole new language, advanced placement Spanish students at Mount Si High School took on an assignment last week to design environmentally friendly and sustainable homes.

Studying the environment and ecology, instructor Jenny Foster invited a friend from Spain, Carlos Sierra of Sierra-Martin Architects, to listen as students presented their discoveries on ecologically-minded homes.

Presentations help students get ready for their Advanced Placement exams in May, which include a two-minute oral presentation. Most students showed promise, speaking for around five minutes. That’s good practice, Foster said.

After presenting, Foster and Sierra conferred to decide which was the most ecologically sound and impressive dwelling.

“Everything that they have been discussing has been incredible,” Sierra said. “There are strategies that we architects have been using for the last 10 years in this particular state.”

Students modeled wind towers, solar panels, thermal energy and the collection and reuse of rain. Sierra was not only wowed by the students ecological ideas, but was equally impressed by their knowledge of the Spanish language.

“It’s amazing how these kids can articulate their thoughts,” he said.

Foster used a set scoring guide on all the aspects the students needed to cover, but as the lead architect, Sierra got to choose the best eco-friendly home.

Sierra sees the students as a sounding board for new ideas, sharing what the next generation considers to be important and ecologically friendly.

He is looking for examples of sustainability, use of natural materials and how a house can last longer.

Impressed by diagrams and the level of research put forth, Sierra applauded one student’s use of heat exchangers.

Heat exchange is the transfer of heat from outdoors through a pump that will then put heat inside a home.

“Architectural students in their first year don’t have a clue of what that is,” he said.