Impact
Alumni and faculty members sit on regional and local boards and committees, including the Metropolitan Planning Organization, Habitat for Humanity, the Downtown Unlimited Board, and the Downtown Development Authority. The Building Institute partners with not-for-profits like Ragin’ Cajun Facilities and Habitat for Humanity. The SoAD partners with the United States Green Building Council (USGBC) to offer continuing education programs for the community.
The School of Architecture and Design has a commitment to sustainability, and that commitment is internationally recognized. We teach a Sites and Sustainability Studio (ARCH 441) and the BeauSoleil Solar Home won multiple categories at the 2009 Solar Decathlon. Since then, we've been able to fund and build four homes in local neighborhoods through the Building Institute and the ARCH 501 and 502 studios. Other community projects have included funding and designing bike paths, contributing to the Lafayette Comprehensive Plan, and working with local and state agencies on the Lafayette I-49 Connector project.
The Transit Design Studio has partnered with governmental agencies, the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, diverse Industry, and seven metropolitan planning organizations in Louisiana. These design projects included conventional and CNG buses, overhead autonomous rail and cable systems, human-powered transit, ambulance, medical trailers, cycling infrastructure and way finding. It has formed cross-collaborative ventures with the Colleges of Business, Mechanical Engineering and Sciences.
Industrial design alumni are employed in diverse areas of transportation design including automotive, nautical, aircraft, aerospace and public transportation. Bachelor of Industrial Design graduates are employed with international corporations such as Ford Motor Company, NASA, Cessna, Incat Crowther, Bell Helicopter, Lafayette Metropolitan Planning Organization, and Yamaha/Skeeter Boats among others.
In times of hurricane emergency, it has partnered with the Red Cross and Louisiana Emergency Medical Units Inc. The Science Museum of Lafayette showcases many of the design projects that are available for public viewing.