The NEXThouse, an energy-efficient house designed by University of Louisiana at Lafayette architecture students, will be open for tours Friday, Oct. 26.
An open house will be held from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. The NEXThouse is at 319 Jackson St.
The home, in Lafayette's historic Freetown neighborhood, is a project with multiple aims: to reclaim abandoned property; create affordable, efficient housing; and give graduate students hands-on experience.
The 1,300-square-foot house has two bedrooms, two baths and a loft. Sustainable features include energy-efficient appliances, and 14-foot-high ceilings and ventilation to cool the interior. Solar panels on the roof offset some energy costs; functional shutters protect the home during storms.
Its front porch, kitchen and rear patio flow into one another, which makes the home ideal for entertaining and reflects Acadiana’s Cajun and Creole hospitality.
NEXThouse is for sale and is listed by PAR Realty. Some of the proceeds will be reinvested in the university's architecture program to fund future projects. Another home is planned for Jackson Street.
Construction of the NEXThouse was made possible through a public-private partnership among UL Lafayette, King Contractors, The Lafayette Public Trust Authority and PAR Realty. UL Lafayette architecture students also helped build it.