Building the Affordable House: Seeking Solutions That Are Well-Designed, Well-Built, and Affordable

(3 Credit Hours) · Undergraduate

Housing in the United States has become increasingly unaffordable to many, whether as renters or home owners. New housing construction, particularly in the South Bend / Mishawaka area, is focused primarily on large-scale suburban developments and very high-end custom infill housing. Neither of these approaches meaningfully addresses the issues related to housing that is affordable in this region. Through this seminar, the Notre Dame School of Architecture hopes to take a leadership role in the design and development of better housing models for the South Bend / Mishawaka area. The seminar is intended to seek out both new and traditional design and construction ideas that promote sustainable, well-designed, well-built, and affordable housing solutions. This elective seminar is open to architecture majors and non-majors interested in affordable housing. The format of seminar has a two-part structure - classroom and jobsite. First, the class will focus on researching topics related to housing and construction: no drawing is required to take this course, only an interest in affordable housing. Second, students will participate in the construction of a house designed by students in the previous Spring semester. Participation in construction will be required and conducted in partnership with Habitat for Humanity, St. Joseph County (HFH). The goal of this partnership with HFH will be the construction of at least one new affordable housing unit each academic year.