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A Living Demonstration

The UM FLAT is an experiential live-in resource (house) for UM students to demonstrate the practicality of sustainable living.  In a time of rising energy costs, ‘conservation of energy’ is the most effective means of demonstrating appropriate development at UM and Missoula.  By experimenting with and educating others about the social, ethical, and environmental benefits of appropriate technology, the UM FLAT will help to establish the University of Montana as a model for exhibiting efficient building practices.  The ultimate goal of the UM FLAT is to encourage the development of efficient and affordable homes for a sustainable society.  By retro-fitting an existing home the utility of the UM FLAT demonstration resources could be easily applied to the Missoula community.

An Educational Resource

Appropriate technology projects

Our projects may include the use of superinsulation, natural light, gray water system, solar energy, efficient appliances, thermal mass, energy monitoring, native landscaping, solar curtains, wind energy, passive solar greenhouse, alternative building structures, pedal power, sustainable gardening

Community resource

The home has hosted a variety of activities including canning and fermentation workshops, renewable energy demonstrations, a zen workshop, a fire-making workshop, environmental writing readings, safe house-cleaning products class, a poetry celebration, a solar panel workshop, graduate thesis readings, regular student group meetings, and frequent community group meetings, and many, many more!  The home also houses a library replete with literature pertaining to sustainability.  Beyond that, guided and self-guided tours of the FLAT teach UM students and the greater Missoula community how to live more lightly and fully.

Course curriculum

UM professors have their students and classes tour the UM FLAT on field trips;  intern on FLAT projects to fulfill community service requirements; or use the FLAT as a learning space to experiment, plan, or carry out new demonstration projects.

Student led

Student directors manage the home and oversee the operations of the residence and facilities.  The house will evolve with the interests of the students who participate in the evolution of the UM FLAT.  Through work study, students will gain valuable experience developing and administering sustainability projects while being compensated for their efforts.