One of Ball State University’s latest immersive learning opportunities offers many students within the University’s R. Wayne Estopinal College of Architecture (CAP) the chance to learn while designing and helping to build an affordable, net-zero energy duplex home on Indianapolis’ near-east side.
Starting this semester, a multi-disciplinary group of CAP students and faculty is embarking on this five-semester-long project for the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon® 2023 Build Challenge, an international competition. The duplex will eventually house two families with children.
“The project will give students hands-on experience working with a collaborative team and will contribute to robust revitalization efforts in urban Indianapolis focused on quality of life, sustainability, and affordable family housing,” said Dr. Tom Collins, assistant professor of Architecture at Ball State.
Project participants from Ball State include interdisciplinary teams of undergraduate and graduate students from all four CAP departments: Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Urban Planning, and Construction Management and Interior Design. Approximately 100 undergraduate and graduate students will be involved directly through enrollment in eight courses over five semesters (Fall 2021, Spring 2022, Summer 2022, Fall 2022, Spring 2023) at Ball State’s Muncie campus and CAP: Indy location.
Englewood Community Development Corporation (CDC) of Indianapolis is a community partner on this project.