College Students' Home Design Cleverly Combines Affordability and Adaptability

ADAPTHAUS, the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign’s Solar Decathlon 2020 entry, offers up a housing idea for young professional homeowners in need of affordable, flexible housing options. Its name comes from the home’s adaptable features that can be changed to meet the owner’s needs. Furniture, for example, includes a Murphy bed and the home features a modular system, helping to expand or change the space. The 1,200 square-foot home also offers universal design concepts, such as its bathroom with a curbless shower and grab bars. ADAPTHAUS resulted from extensive research into the type of housing needed in Champaign, Ill., says Forbes.

They found that many young professionals were losing out on home ownership because of the rising costs of homes and the heavy debts they leave school with. Young people today are also particularly interested in sustainable and energy efficient homes, preferring those requiring minimal maintenance. With this population’s dynamic lifestyles, they would rather be spending time on activities, such as biking and hiking, than working on home projects. The ADAPTHAUS team addressed those issues in the design and size of their home. According to the team, “The ‘ADAPTHAUS’ project’s main purpose, apart from participating in the Solar Decathlon competition, is to provide a future housing solution in the Champaign area that can house a family throughout its lifetime and uplift the neighborhood with its unique beauty.”

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