At the heart of NextHouse’s innovation is a network of state-of-the-art facilities designed to enable cutting-edge research, prototyping, and workforce training. The upcoming NextHouse Headquarters, located near Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana, will serve as a hub for advanced modular housing technology development. This facility will feature capabilities like climate-controlled testing chambers, prototyping labs, and automation testbeds, all designed to accelerate the deployment of next-generation housing solutions.
Purdue University
West Lafayette, IN
Purdue University is a driving force behind the NextHouse initiative, leveraging its expertise in advanced manufacturing, automation, and sustainable construction to transform the future of modular housing. Central to Purdue’s involvement is the development of the NextHouse Headquarters (HQ) in West Lafayette, Indiana, a state-of-the-art facility designed for prototyping, testing, and training. This HQ will feature climate-controlled testing environments, automation testbeds, and collaborative research spaces where industry partners, policymakers, and academics can refine and commercialize modular housing innovations. With Purdue’s guiding research in materials science, robotics, and industrial automation, NextHouse will integrate AI-driven collaborative robots, lean manufacturing processes, and next-generation building materials to improve efficiency, affordability, and sustainability in housing production.
Founded in 1957, the Ray W. Herrick Laboratories supports world-class Mechanical Engineering research for students, faculty, and industry. Among the facilities available in our 83,000 square feet of space are HVAC and indoor air quality labs; advanced engine test cells; acoustics, noise, and vibration testing; and unique perception-based engineering labs. Herrick is also home to the Center for High Performance Buildings, which partners with industry to develop new technologies in sustainable building systems, indoor environments, human perception and comfort, and high performance equipment.
