The public is invited to tour the "Event House" at 500 Madison Street on Saturday, Dec. 10 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
UL Lafayette architecture students designed this “green” home as a way to revitalize some of Lafayette's neglected neighborhoods.
The home is powered by solar energy and has an energy-efficient cooling and heating system. It was constructed with sustainable and renewable materials.
The Event House is financed by the Lafayette Public Trust Financing Authority. It’s part of a neighborhood infill initiative, which is intended to fill vacant or underutilized property between existing buildings.
It is the first of at least two planned infill homes. The Event House will be sold for about $150,000; proceeds from the sale will be used to construct the next home.
A team of 11 architecture students began designing the multi-functional home during the Fall 2010 semester. It was asked to devise a construction method that would reduce building material waste, on-site construction time and the need for subcontractors. The team was also challenged to maximize energy efficiency and rely on a renewable energy source, such as solar power.
The Event House is intended to appeal to young professionals looking for an energy-efficient, contemporary home within walking distance of downtown.
The two-bedroom, two-bath house has 1,250 square feet of living space, with an additional 500 square feet of covered porches. It has two main sections – an entertainment area and a bedroom area – that are connected by a flexible transitional space.
The goal of the program is to build a new home each year. A group of graduate architecture students is already beginning to design the next one.