Make It Real: Empowering Young Innovators to Tackle the Housing Crisis

Anything monumental that exists today started with a vision. Someone was bold enough to dream big, and they made it a reality by obtaining the necessary know-how and tools.  

At Autodesk, we empower innovators to bring their ideas to life. So, in the spirit of transforming visions into tangible outcomes, we're excited to announce the Make It Real program for 2025. This initiative encourages young people to solve real-world problems through design and construction.  

Introducing the "Make It Home" student design contest 

This year's program puts the spotlight on affordable housing, an issue affecting millions in the United States alone. With over a third of American households burdened by rising housing costs, we need new and creative solutions to address the problem. 

That's why we're also introducing Make It Home — a contest that challenges students to develop design and construction solutions to ease the housing crisis by specifically asking the question: What if affordable housing could solve other problems in a community? 

Participants who showcase innovative designs that promote affordable housing can win exciting prizes that total $50,000. These funds will support educational expenses, including tuition, books, room and board, transportation, and childcare. 

The contest also includes a new team-based category for students enrolled at community or technical colleges. 

Hear from NFL quarterback Joshua Dobbs 

As part of this year's initiatives, Autodesk is teaming up with NFL quarterback Joshua Dobbs. Josh, who studied aerospace engineering and interned at NASA, combines his engineering knowledge with a desire to make a positive impact in communities. 

“I'm here to use my platform to shine a light on a problem close to home for many of us. Autodesk is helping build the playbook and respond to the housing crisis, making homes more affordable, more available, and more resilient," he says. 

For more information, watch the "More Than a Destination" film series, which follows Josh as he tours and meets the team at Factory_OS, a California-based affordable housing builder. The series offers a look at how Factory_OS builds homes that are not just cost effective but also better equipped to serve the needs of modern households. Josh says he was fascinated to see the level of collaboration at which the Factory_OS team works and to understand how the different perspectives each worker brings come together as a complex, physical building that addresses so many needs. 

To celebrate the premiere of "More Than a Destination," we invited students from the City College of San Francisco for an event at the Autodesk Gallery. Josh was there to share his insights alongside experts from Factory_OS and California State Senator Scott Wiener. The event highlighted innovative solutions to the housing crisis and inspired students to think about their role in shaping a better future. 

The students also tested out the Autodesk Tinkercad starter model for the contest, which was inspired by Factory_OS and its outcome-based design approach that harnesses the power of the Autodesk Platform.

How to enter the Make It Home contest 

Interested in the Make It Home student design contest? Here are the key details you need to know.  

Who's eligible? 

The Make It Home student design contest is open to two groups:  

  • High school students (ages 13–21): You can participate as an individual if you're enrolled in high school or a recognized homeschooling program.  
  • Community and technical college teams: Teams of up to five students (all members must be 18 or older) from the same two-year institution or training program are eligible. Each team needs a captain to handle the design submission and communicate with contest organizers. 

Entry submissions 

Students should begin by selecting a specific site for their affordable housing solution and then explain why they chose that location and describe the community it will serve. Their design should prioritize sustainability and incorporate features to reduce construction and maintenance costs. It should also address another problem that the community faces like access to education or economic opportunities, combatting chronic homelessness, or coping with challenges of being a military veteran. 

The design must incorporate Autodesk software

How will the entries be judged? 

Expert judges for the contest will include Josh, as well as representatives from Autodesk, the National Society of Black Engineers, the Boston Society for Architecture, and Terner Labs at UC Berkeley. 

Entries will be evaluated based on several key criteria, including 3D digital literacy and design, engineering mindset, real-world relevance, and presentation. Teams will also be judged on their collaboration. 

Visit the Make It Home contest page to learn more about entry submissions, prizes, and the official contest rules. 

When is the deadline for entries? 

Mark your calendar! Submissions must be entered between January 20, 2025, and June 30, 2025 (11:59 pm PT). 

Another way to level up: The Building Changemakers Microgrant 

In addition, Autodesk is also offering students who are continuing their education in the building trades $50,000 worth of microgrants*. This $500 award may be used to cover similar expenses to the contest prizes. 

This microgrant program will run until September 29, 2025, or until the $50,000 in funds allotted for this program run out. Enter here.  

Let's build something great together 

Autodesk is all about helping you make your visions a reality. Whether through the Make It Home contest or the Building Changemakers Microgrant, we can't wait to see how you'll shape the future of design and construction.  

So, students, show us your best and most innovative idea, and let's make it real. 

*The microgrants will be provided through the Building Changemakers Giveaway. 


Find out more about 2024's winning home design to withstand hurricanes entry here.

Kellyanne Mahoney

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