University of Arkansas tackles housing crisis with innovative ‘Workforce 16’ prototype

To address the growing housing crisis in Arkansas and the U.S., students and faculty in the Fay Jones School of Architecture and Design at the University of Arkansas are exploring innovative solutions.

John Folan, a professor and head of the architecture department, is working with students on a new project focused on creating affordable homes for workers earning $16 to $18 an hour.

The prototype, named Workforce 16, is on the lawn of Vol Walker Hall on the UA campus. It showcases core design features developed over four semesters of research. It incorporates a nucleus of 500 square feet with expandable bays, allowing for a 700-square-foot expansion in an orderly manner as income or family size grows. The home utilizes wave layered timber (WLT), a new form of mass timber, accelerating construction time and facilitating future reuse.

“It’s about addressing social need,” Folan explained. “The idea is to give people a start at wealth building through home ownership. Residents can expand into the shell space provided with original construction as their needs and resources allow.”

The prototype will be on the lawn for a year, where it will be utilized for job skill training workshops and first-time homebuyer engagement. Plans are in motion to build three permanent homes in Fayetteville by the fall of 2024.

Folan said the project reflects the Fay Jones School’s commitment to the university’s land-grant mission, addressing critical needs through applied design research and serving the community.

For more details, click here.