Students and faculty at Ball State University are making positive impacts on both the planet and people’s lives through net-zero energy, eco-friendly duplexes that will eventually be home for two families, and they’re winning awards while they’re at it. The home will produce at least as much energy as it consumes.
Students at BSU’s R. Wayne Estopinal College of Architecture and Planning (CAP) designed the 201 N. Temple Ave duplex with faculty leads, consultants and design advisors for a competition that challenges student teams to design net-zero energy homes using “green” building techniques. The U.S. Department of Energy challenge is combined with a high-impact learning experience for students, allowing them to earn credit for working with community partners to address community challenges. The students at CAP were named the Grand Prize Winners of the Build Challenge, beating out 15 other teams from around the world, for their work on the duplex. The duplex, dubbed the Alley House, is part of Englewood CDC’s plan to redevelop 20 vacant lots in the Englewood neighborhood. Over the last 21 years, BSU students and faculty have engaged in more than 3,300 learning projects focused on solving community challenges, like the Alley House.
“If we are going to be successful as planners, architects, engineers, financiers, and community developers, we must make it possible for under-resourced populations to access zero-energy, high-performance, quality-built residences,” said Professor of Architecture Pamela Harwood in a news release.
Contact staff writer Jayden Kennett at 317-762-7847 or by email JaydenK@indyrecorder.com. Follow her on Twitter @JournoJay.
