These Students Aim to Create Affordable Housing for All
When it comes to learning the ins and outs of the architecture industry, there's no better way to learn than by diving in head first. This, Auburn University knows. Which is why they created the Rural Studio - an undergraduate program that's designed to give architecture students a more hands-on educational experience. Even better? The program's 20K project is trying to help make housing more affordable.
The project gets its name from the smallest loan a person on Social Security can afford ($20,000). Students are tasked with designing a home that can be built on that budget. The end goal (after figuring out the design, that is) is for students to essentially be able to share blueprints of the home so people can build and create their own.
While the project is still a work in progress - there have been 17 different prototypes designed and built since the project started in 2005 - the two latest models are nothing short of stunning. Located in the village of Serenbe in Chattahooche Hills, Georgia, the sub-550-square-feet units now offer housing for local artists. So, basically, everyone won.
Take a look:
Here's what the inside of one of the houses looks like:
And here's a peek at the another:
There is one slight problem, however. These two cottages and deck costs a combined $135,000 to build, which was well over the targeted budget. Looks like it's back to the drawing board.
[via Inhabitat]
