Githens, a woodshop technician in Ball State University’s College of Architecture and Planning, changed his mind, however, once he saw some Ball State students’ plans for his property.

Githens’ initial reluctance was due in part to seeing his dream workshop and home reduced to ashes. His two-story garage once housed a metal shop, framing equipment, two kilns for ceramic projects and a painting studio. There was even a bridge that connected the shop’s second story to his home.

On April 11, 2000, Githens was awakened at 1:30 a.m. by five students kicking down his door. They saw that his house was on fire and broke in and saved his life. The fire was set deliberately in the shop and quickly devoured everything on the lot.

Jack Wyman, an architecture professor at Ball State, heard of Githens’ loss and approached him about having some students help design a new home. Githens was reluctant, but agreed to allow the 12 students to work on the hands-on project.

What started out as a simplistic two-bedroom, 1,000-square-foot bungalow, expanded into a three-story, three-bedroom, 3,200-square-foot ultra-modern home. Excited by the design process, Githens became inspired to build.

“We took elements from each of the student’s proposals, and then we had them all work on a single design,” Githens said. “I wanted a nontraditional home that filled the entire lot.”

After three months of tweaking designs, the foundation was cast and the modern structure began to rise just east of Ball State’s campus.

To help blend in with the neighborhood, Githens’ home is nearly the same height as his neighbors’ homes, and it is wrapped in gray siding that complements the surrounding structures. That is where the similarities stop, however.

A recessed entry way is notched under the east side of the house and accented with a pillar. A ramp, which hints of handicap accessibility, is actually a pathway for the avid bicycle commuter.

Instead of shingles, the roof is capped with Ondura, asphalt-impregnated organic fiber that looks like clay tile. The green roofing is accented with squares of tan fiberglass that act as skylights.

Inside, the energy-efficient home has well-insulated walls that host countless high-efficiency windows and sliding glass doors that are found on each level.

“I wanted a fairly transparent home,” Githens said. “Lots of windows allow people to be inside, but very aware of what’s going on outside.”

Sunshine and shade not only act as aesthetic bonuses, but they also help with temperature control. Concrete flooring and the first eight feet of the walls act as a thermal mass. Exaggerated exterior overhangs block the sun in summer but allow it to shine in during winter.

Rather than pour a continuous slab of concrete, Githens used two-inch foam insulation and sunken door jams separate exterior balconies from the interior floor. This approach ensures that the exterior floor will not conduct heat into the home, Githens said.

Finding contractors to build Githens’ experimental home was difficult. After much cajoling, Githens convinced them to do it his way — the threat of withholding payment often swayed the debate.

“Short-term economics oftentime dictate traditional building methods, which come at the expense of the homeowner,” Githens said. “Homeowners then have to pay more to heat, cool, maintain
and repair the home — all this, with less comfort overall. It doesn’t make sense to build this way.”

Debating with contractors and taking his time has delayed the building process. If all goes well, the home will be finished some time this summer, Githens said.

(Note to Editors: For more information, contact Githens at (765) 285-5864 or rdgithens@bsu.edu. A print-quality downloadable photo is available by logging on to www.bsu.edu/photoservices and following the instructions.)