The Cleveland County Habitat for Humanity affiliate is completing its first ADA-compliant and “green” house at the end of the month.

The OU chapter raised $5,000 through fundraising and Shak-a-thon donations to donate to the build, said Lori Stevens, OU Habitat for Humanity adviser.

Along with OU’s chapter, seven Christian churches from the community donated financial and volunteer time to complete the house. Most volunteer time was spent on weekends, completing detail work, such as painting and caulking. The build was named the “Apostles Build” after the 12 apostles in the Bible.

The design of the house is specifically for two adults in wheelchairs and one 4-year-old boy. Some major architectural changes include: all doorways and hallways being three feet wide, counter tops being six inches lower than average and the entrance not having any steps. These changes in the floor plan were designed by the Habitat for Humanity staff along with professors and students from OU college of Architecture.

“With the help from professors from the College of Architecture, they started this design with a blank page. They saved energy and made the most use out of the house for the handicapped,” said Pete Street, Habitat for Humanity construction assistant.

Street said Habitat for Humanity is seeking certification under the National Association of Home Builders. Under this certification, the house doesn’t simply meet general standards. Instead appliances and construction techniques make the lifetime of the house last a considerable amount longer and are a “step above average,” Street said.

In order to make the house as energy-efficient and environmentally friendly as possible, the Apostles Build used its funds to install above-average insulation, Energy Star appliances and an on-demand gas hot water heater.

Whirlpool Appliances donated a refrigerator and an oven. Johnson Controls Inc. also donated a natural gas furnace and air conditioner that saves money on bills each month, Street said.

The sponsors wanted to ensure something special for the 4-year-old boy, Michael, as well. The volunteers are decorating his bedroom with an OU symbol, painting the walls crimson and building a play area in the backyard.

“Michael told me his favorite part about the house is the play set and sand box on the backyard. He’s really excited about moving into a new home,” Street said.

The OU chapter of Habitat for Humanity works each year to help build a house in the community.

According to Stevens, the next house will be built by the “Women’s Build,” where women around campus and the community fundraise and volunteer to build a house for a family.