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Title: Director, LaHouse Research & Education Center; Professor, Biological & Agricultural Engineering
Location: Baton Rouge, LSU Campus
Strategic Goal Focus: Provide
programming and solutions to strengthen rural communities and ensure economic
prosperity, a healthy population and flourishing institutional structures.
As director of LaHouse, Carol Friedland leads a hub of innovation and education focused on building homes that stand strong against Louisiana’s most pressing threats—floods, hurricanes, and extreme weather. Under her leadership, LaHouse offers hands-on exhibits, research-based demonstrations, and public education that empower homeowners, builders, and policymakers to make informed decisions about hazard-resistant construction. Her research spans flood mitigation, wind resilience, and cost-effective building strategies, helping communities reduce disaster losses, lower insurance premiums and improve long-term safety.
Louisiana is one of the most disaster-prone states with some of the highest homeowners insurance costs. The state’s vulnerability to natural disasters makes resilient housing a critical priority. Friedland’s work at LaHouse bridges the gap between engineering research and everyday decision-making, equipping residents with tools to protect their homes and livelihoods. Her efforts not only reduce risk but also promote sustainability, energy efficiency, and healthier living environments.
“LaHouse is a living laboratory, displaying scientific principles in action. It’s a place where homeowners and decision-makers can experience firsthand how smart, resilient choices transform a house into a model for the future.”
Through LaHouse, Friedland is shaping a model for hazard mitigation that extends far beyond Louisiana. Her research and outreach inform national building codes, federal disaster recovery programs, and global conversations on climate resilience. By turning data into action, she’s helping communities everywhere prepare for a safer future.
