1FISHERS, Ind. – On June 18, Ball State University and Vectren Corporation will host a media open house for Eco-House—a house that demonstrates the optimal relationship between homeowners and their residential environment.

The event will take place at 11:30 a.m. at 8770 E. 141st St., between Allisonville Road and State Road 37.

Eco-House features design innovation, new materials and technologies that create an energy-efficient, comfortable and environmentally friendly structure, said Michel Mounayar, associate dean of Ball State's College of Architecture and Planning.

"The home was designed with the 'Healthy Home' concept in mind—a house with low-emission surfaces and ample natural light and natural ventilation," he said. "It successfully integrates outdoor and indoor living spaces to fit perfectly within the residential environment."

The two-story structure was designed by Mounayar, Harry Eggink, professor of architecture, and Jeffrey Hall, assistant professor of landscape architecture, with the goal of dramatically lowering energy consumption by minimizing heat loss in the winter and minimizing heat gain in the summer. Michele Chiuini, professor of architecture, also helped with the planning.

Eco-House features include:

• Insulated Concrete Form (ICF) basement walls. ICF construction provides for more efficient construction, structural stability and a healthier living environment while reducing energy consumption.
• Above ground, Autoclave Aerated Concrete (AAC) block walls were selected for their high R-value and air-tightness. AAC is made with fly ash from coal-burning power plants.
• Low-emissivity, argon-filled windows. Low-e coatings increase the windows' insulation value. They also reduce harmful UV rays that can damage drapes, rugs and furniture.
• Flexible and efficient HVAC systems and ducting.
• Natural lighting and compact fluorescent lighting (CFL). Fluorescent lamps produce less heat than incandescent lamps and are more energy efficient.

Eco-House is part of a five-year $100,000 partnership between the College of Architecture and Planning and Vectren. Eco-House is the second of three homes that will be built through this partnership.

Note to Editors: For more information, contact Mounayar at (765) 285-8917 or mmounaya@bsu.edu.