The School of Architecture has a long and distinguished history of extension and outreach efforts in home design, housing issues and community partnerships. Dating from its earliest years, faculty and students from the School of Architecture have worked with rural communities, small towns and cities across the state. Today faculty are engaged in leading-edge research and service learning projects that address issues central to the needs of individuals, families, municipalities and organizations statewide.

Our work postulates that design is intrinsic to all aspects of home, housing and community. Sensitive, skillful and innovative design strategies are essential to address issues such as community acceptance, life-cycle costs, sustainability, adaptability, response to context, meaning and quality of life. Design is the bridge that connects and synthesizes these issues.

Our mission is primarily educational. We provide educational resources for government, non-profit and community leaders, students, and the general public, designing innovative and applicable solutions to the housing challenges that North Carolina communities face.

Currently the two programs of the Architecture in the Public Interest Initiative are the Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities Initiative and the Home Environments Design Initiative.