AUBURN, Ala. (EETV) - In the beginning of October, a group of students from Auburn University helped to build a Habitat for Humanity in the local Auburn-Opelika community.
The students both designed and constructed the home as part of a collaboration with Auburn’s School of Architecture, the McWhorter School of Building Science and AU’s Rural Studio program.
The local Auburn- Opelika Habitat for Humanity branch, along with a group from the Passive House Institute and the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety, also contributed to the project.
In total, over 30 AU students participated in the project with local volunteers and the new homeowner, Michelle Robinson.
What makes this home so different is that it was constructed for more energy efficient performance, as well as with an increased resilience to damage from severe storms.
It is estimated that the annual savings in energy cost will be between 60-75%.
The architecture program at Auburn is working to establish a long-term housing option solution for local families that is affordable and balances the costs of construction, operation, and insurance.
The success of this new Habitat Home is one of their first steps towards reaching their goal.
