MUNCIE, Ind. - Practicing what they typically preach, Ball State University architecture professors’ designs for an energy-efficient house are taking shape--not on paper, but on a lot in Fishers, Ind.

The house is part of a five-year, $100,000 partnership program between Indiana Gas Co. (IGC) and Ball State’s nationally recognized College of Architecture and Planning designed to give students practical, hands-on experience.

On Wednesday, Oct. 27, the architecture students will visit the newly framed house and evaluate its progress.

Construction of the energy-efficient house began last month by Gradison Building Corp., a custom builder in Indianapolis. The house is located in the Weaver Creek subdivision near Allisonville Road and 141st Street in Fishers.

The home was designed by Ball State architecture professors Michel Mounayar and Harry Eggink with energy consultant Robert Koester, director of Ball State’s Center for Energy Research/Education/Service, and landscape consultant Jeffrey Hall, interim dean of the College of Architecture and Planning.

"What is particularly interesting about this house is that it was designed with energy efficiency as a major consideration," said Mounayar, interim associate dean of the college.

"This affordable house will feature gas energy as its main heating source and will accommodate a young family," he said. "Features of the home provide for natural light, heating and ventilation resulting in a healthy environment, which was quite important to the design team."

Once the first home is completed, Indiana Gas Co. will fund the construction of two more homes designed by a collaborative team of professors and students.

Production of the two remaining houses also will include Ball State student involvement from the College of Business and the College of Communication, Information, and Media. Both colleges will assist in the promotion and sale of the homes.

Over the next five years, the $100,000 partnership will provide a number of other creative and innovative programs. It will include support of Ball State student-sponsored projects, sponsorship of College of Architecture and Planning guest lectures, funds for library resource materials and $50,000 in minority scholarships.

By Ted Buck, Communications Manager

(NOTE TO EDITORS: For more information about this story, contact Michel Mounayar at (765) 285-5859 or e-mail: mmounaya@bsu.edu.)