39 CastleHill Construction in The United States

Team 81 Poster

Team Reflection 

In the construction industry of today which is moving faster and faster, the integration of sustainability into affordability is of crucial importance for companies that want to meet the requirements of the modern consumer and the environmental standards of the world. The amazing experience we had through our Collaborative Online International Learning (C.O.I.L.) experience with CastleHill Construction offered a glimpse of how a given company can get a grip on and overcome such challenges. CastleHill Construction has shown an exemplary commitment to the construction of quality new homes for affordable prices as well as taking care of sustainability concerns. To decrease its carbon footprint and support environmentally responsible development, CastleHill is forging strategic partnerships with eco-conscious suppliers such as Ozinga and Andersen and pioneering green construction practices. We’ve conducted this approach in accordance with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, setting a mark of reference for the industry in terms of corporate social responsibility. We find that as CastleHill and Dragon Rouge engaged in creating ethical branding and other ethical strategies, we see that ethical branding is critical to building consumer trust and market differentiation. As we continue to analyze these thoughts, there is great reason to believe that the future of construction is in a harmonious balance of profitability and accountability to higher standards, and that is a standard we should push to bring into our tomorrow careers. Through adopting these principles, CastleHill Construction improves community well-being and designs the path for a more environmentally friendly and accessible housing marketplace.

Our C.O.I.L. experience with CastleHill Construction was amazing. The company provided valuable information on how building quality new construction homes at an affordable price is possible while also addressing sustainability. It was amazing to see the initiatives and organizational shifts that CastleHill has taken to limit its carbon footprint. In the interview, we learned that they work diligently with their suppliers to ensure that all construction processes limit their environmental impact. For example, CastleHill works alongside Ozinga and Andersen who have expressed their commitment towards becoming more sustainable in the construction industry. Ozinga is a concrete company located in the midwest region along with a presence in South Florida. They have recognized the negative impact that concrete companies have had on the environment. By implementing more carbon-friendly initiatives, like their natural gas concrete mixing trucks, they are limiting the negative effects of the industry. CastleHill also sources windows from Andersen that are uniquely designed to limit energy waste in new homes. In addition to limiting Co2 emissions, and focusing on the sustainability of suppliers, CastleHill Construction wants to address the current economic state of the housing market in the United States. With limited supply and rising prices, CastleHill is focusing on reducing the cost by increasing the supply in the market.

John Gavin of CastleHill Construction recognizes the positive impacts that he is making in the construction industry and is trying to make other construction companies in the area aware of the benefits of addressing SDG goals. These positive impacts are just one example of how CastleHill uses Corporate Social Responsibility to better the environment and the company. CastleHill uses these ethical business practices to positively brand their company for expansion of their market. Consumers want to buy affordable products from ethical and corporate socially responsible businesses as it’s a way to give back to their community by supporting ethical practices. CastleHill reinforced our knowledge of how important branding is in business. This positive branding has differentiated CastleHill in the market making them a unique company in a crowded market. They also created trust and positive connections through their branding. Using their innovations to show consumers they care about the environment when building their homes, CastleHill creates a positive acknowledgment of consumer values that are similar to their own. This creates a sense of trust between CastleHill and their customers due to the similarities in their morals, ethics, and values.

In our group discussions, we all agreed that CastleHill’s innovative approach to construction aligns with broader societal needs, particularly in addressing sustainability and creating more affordable housing. Many of us expressed the importance of affordability and accessibility in sustainable practices, recognizing that eco-friendly solutions must also be inclusive. This perspective shows the need for future businesses to balance profitability with social responsibility. We also acknowledged the long-term impact of such innovations on community well-being. CastleHill’s focus on reducing waste and conserving resources has the potential to inspire similar initiatives across the industry, creating a snowball effect. As a collective, we see the importance of pushing for sustainability in our future careers as employees even business owners. Allowing us to encourage others to adopt practices that support both environmental and social goals. Ultimately, this assignment helps to build a vision of leadership that values sustainability as a core business principle. As we develop our careers, we will strive to integrate eco-friendly practices into every project, focusing not only on reducing costs but also on enhancing community quality of life. By advocating for sustainability, we can help create strong communities that align with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the COIL project with CastleHill Construction provided a vital understanding of how affordability, sustainability, and corporate social responsibility connect in the construction industry. Through our collaboration, we saw completely how a firm can meet important Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) while achieving a balance between environmental stewardship and business success. CastleHill’s commitment to reducing its carbon footprint and collaborating closely with sustainable suppliers like Ozinga and Andersen highlights the significance of ethical sourcing and eco-friendly procedures for modern business performance. This event made our team realize how important flexibility, open communication, and cross-cultural interaction are when dealing with obstacles in the real world. The numerous opinions and cultural understandings we acquire will surely influence our future jobs, motivating us to give equal weight to social responsibility and profitability. In the end, this project has increased our understanding of sustainability as a core business principle and inspired us to take the initiative to promote moral behavior in our careers, strengthening and establishing communities that align with global sustainability goals.

Individual Reflections

Brendan

The C.O.I.L. experiment allowed me to deepen my understanding of how countries around the world are addressing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. In the United States, I feel that although sustainability in business is making significant progress, businesses are still focused heavily on just maximizing profits. With over 99% of all U.S. businesses being considered “small,” I feel that this shift has proved to come with many challenges. In our C.O.I.L experiment, we recognized this problem but worked well with CastleHill to understand how they may be addressing climate change as a small business. It was awesome to see what work they were doing without even realizing it! I thought that overall we worked well even though challenges came upon us. Our team found it difficult to find time to meet with everyone, especially with their daily obligations (school, sports, work, family, personal, etc.). We mostly communicated well through WhatsApp and E-Mail to solve these problems. We didn’t experience any issues with communication or cross-culture dynamics which was very surprising to me. Overall, I think this experiment went well and is something that I have benefited from. I can’t wait to apply these skills that I have developed by working with individuals from other countries in my workplace!

Walker

I enjoyed the C.O.I.L. experience and had a lot of fun trying to manage time zones and cross-cultural dynamics. During our first meeting, Alejandro had asked me what my thoughts were of the Chicago Blackhawks. My initial thought being a Leaf fan was not very nice however both of our love for sports allowed the conversation to flow easily despite our team preferences. There were quite a few challenges regarding time management. We had a hard time getting in contact with some of our group members due to the time zone differences and other classes taking priority. However, the issue was solved through constant reminders and communication on due dates and deliverables to keep all group members informed. Time zones played a factor in managing meeting times as well due to the difference between EST, CST, and UK. However, it was a good learning experience to have to deal with international companies/meetings in the future. The experience overall was very good and I am very happy to be a part of this movement.

Colin

Participating in this virtual team activity was a truly rewarding experience for me. I loved the chance to collaborate with individuals from different backgrounds, which added depth and variety to our discussions. Navigating the cultural differences was challenging at times, but it also provided valuable learning moments. I made a conscious effort to be respectful and open-minded, understanding that different cultures can shape communication styles and decision-making processes in unique ways. One of the biggest hurdles we faced was coordinating across multiple time zones, which required flexibility and patience. We managed to find meeting times that worked for everyone, ensuring that all voices were heard. Utilizing Zoom for our video calls allowed us to connect on a more personal level, making discussions feel more engaging despite the distance. For our everyday communication, we relied on WhatsApp, which made it easy to share quick updates and clarify our roles and responsibilities. Overall, I found the experience enriching both personally and professionally. I learned to navigate communication challenges effectively and gained valuable insights into sustainability, a topic I’m very passionate about.

Sanjana

Taking part in the COIL Project was an extremely rewarding experience that improved my knowledge of global sustainability initiatives from the perspective of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations. Working with international team members gave me a rare chance to observe how companies, particularly ones like CastleHill, are contributing to sustainability in a variety of ways. Our team’s biggest struggle was dealing with multiple time zones and other responsibilities, including work and school. It was challenging to arrange meeting times that suited everyone, but we managed to stay in touch and complete our tasks by using platforms like Zoom, email, and WhatsApp. I learned a lot from the experience about flexibility and the value of open communication in a global team. Additionally, I was surprised by how successfully we were able to negotiate cultural differences, which made our conversations interesting. All things considered, I gained useful skills in remote teamwork and cross-cultural communication from this type of work. I am excited to use these skills in afterward projects and broaden my perspective on sustainability.

Linnet

Thinking back on my time spent working with students from different cultural backgrounds and academic institutions as part of the COIL project, I can say that it was an eye-opening and rewarding experience that pushed me to broaden my perspective and embrace diversity. Some of the things I learned and thought about while working on the project are as follows.At first, adjusting to different time zones, schedules, and academic standards was hard, but it taught me how to be flexible and adaptable. A lot of the time, we had to make concessions and work around each other’s plans. This helped me become more patient and flexible.
This experience has helped me get ready for the realities of working with people from other countries, where problems like different work schedules and time zones are usual. Also, it made me more comfortable with virtual teamwork platforms and tools, which will come in handy in a world where working from home is becoming more norm. Being a part of the COIL project made me feel more comfortable sharing my thoughts and working with people from different backgrounds. At first, I wasn’t sure if I should join the talks because I was afraid that my ideas might not be important. However as the project went on, I became more sure of the importance of my unique ideas and learned to value the different ways of thinking in our group.

References 

Main, K. (2024). Small business statistics of 2024. Retrieved from https://www.forbes.com/advisor/business/small-business-statistics/

Lower embodied carbon concrete. (2023). Retrieved from https://ozinga.com/solutions/sustainability-and-carbon-reduction/