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LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — University of Kansas architecture graduate students are completing final touches on a newly constructed sustainable house in east Lawrence.
Officials at the university's architecture school tell the Lawrence Journal-World (http://bit.ly/1rt7ihX ) that the two-bedroom, two-bathroom home with a detached garage is designed to meet two sustainable building standards: Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Platinum and the Passive House Institute standards.
The home is the latest project of the Studio 804 class, which has an associated not-for-profit corporation. Each year, students design and build a structure themselves.
Architecture professor Dan Rockhill said that the newly constructed house is unique because it sits on a lot and a half.
"It makes a difference for us," Rockhill said. "We're always looking to find clever ways to promote sustainability."
The house has a south-facing courtyard and wraps around in an L-shape, allowing the windows to be positioned for breezes and sunlight to naturally control the climate.
The house includes solar panels on the roof that will supply nearly all of its electricity needs, and barn door-style sliding panels on the house's exterior can be closed to clock sunlight in the hottest months. There is also a concrete storm shelter in the back of the lot near the garage.
Homes are sold when they are completed. Rockhill said that there's a contract pending on the new house.
Studio 804 also has also created buildings for public entities, including the Galileo's Pavilion building at Johnson County Community College and the Forum lecture hall addition to Marvin Hall at the University of Kansas.
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Information from: Lawrence (Kan.) Journal-World, http://www.ljworld.com
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