COURTESY RICHARD CLAWSON A computer-generated model of what the new house will look like displays the planned gables, columns and large windows. The building is designed to reflect similar campus architecture.

Sigma Chi, a fraternity whose South Seventh Street house was the site of a fire last spring, plans to be living large next semester.

Demolition began last week in preparation for the construction of a $600,000 house on the site, according to Perry Farester, a contractor who oversaw the work.

"We chose this week because there were no students around," he said Monday.

Heavy machinery shredded the remains of the fire-scorched building, which had stood empty since April. Chairs, mattresses and other items were strewn through the rubble, rendered useless by damage.

Fraternity brothers were left homeless following a boiler-related fire Easter weekend.

The parts of the house that weren't completely lost to fire had significant water and smoke damage, fraternity president Taylor Livingston said in April.

Since then, insurance claims have rolled in and alumni have been busy rallying in support of the brothers.

Richard Clawson, an alumnus, said that the money from the house will come in part from insurance, from loans and from alumni fundraising.

The brothers are currently scattered, living with friends and in off-campus apartments.

"The fire happened toward the very end of the semester," Clawson said Monday, "so everyone made temporary arrangements for the time being. Now they're living all over."

However, losing a home and becoming separated hasn't necessarily weakened Sigma Chi.

"You would think the whole ordeal would have brought spirits down, that the brotherhood would have died," said Jason Farrell (sophomore, criminology), "but it had the opposite effect.

"We're a lot closer now. It really shows the strength of our brotherhood, our friendship."

Farrell plans to live in the new house next semester along with 19 other brothers.

The house is slated to have 10 bedrooms, five bathrooms, a chapter room for official activities, a library, a study area and more, according to Warren Peter, who will head the construction project.

"It will be wired for high technology-- high-speed internet access and everything necessary," he said Monday at the site.

The house will also stretch 12 feet farther toward Seventh Street than the former building and feature a completely re-designed exterior, including gables, projections, red brick and trim that will reflect the design of many campus buildings.

"The new design has more rooms," Farrell said, "and we really like the re-designed back entrance. People will be able to come in from either end."

Kevin Smith (junior, anthropology) is also looking forward to moving in next fall.

"The design fits in with campus architecture -- unlike the 30-year-old dinosaur," he said, referring to the former house.

The brothers were involved in the planning process, Smith said, and were asked by the alumni heading the new house project for input.

"They asked us to list things we wanted for the house," Farrell said. "We had a meeting and discussed how we wanted things to go."

The structure is expected to be completed by August so that Farrell, Smith and the rest of Sigma Chi can move in for the fall semester.

"The deadline will be tight," Clawson said, "but we're shooting for that fall finish date. We've already got 20 guys lined up for residency, ready to go -- a full house."

"When it's done, stop in and check it out," Farrell said.

Construction is scheduled to begin in three weeks.