Ball State students’ environmentally friendly residence takes first place in worldwide competition

Indianapolis, Indiana – Students from Ball State won first place at the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon Build Challenge thanks to a freshly constructed eco-friendly home on the east side.

Alejandra Lagunas, a Ball State student, worked on the international challenge project for two years.

“The home is called Alley House. Some of the elements that we have here in the house, like the cabinets and the stairs, the material was selected by the students,” she said. “And it was also built by the students.”

According to Lagunas, Alley House aimed to build an economical, sustainable, net-zero energy two-family home.

“The home was paid for by grants and fundraising,” said Pam Harwood, a professor of architecture at Ball State. “The total cost to make it was $746,000 for two duplexes. That’s basically a home at 2,786 square feet with six bedrooms and four baths. It’s efficient and ends up being about $266 a square foot.”

The Englewood Community Development Corporation will be accepting applications for residence in this environmentally friendly home.

“Rent is between 30 percent and 60 percent of the average medium income,” said Harwood. “Rent range will be between $490 to $900.”

Before the tenant can buy the house, the dwelling will be available for 15 years of rent-to-own.