zeroHouse™
2008
Architects: Specht Harpman, Texas, USA
Project Description:
functional
The zeroHouse is a small, prefabricated house that can be easily shipped
and quickly erected. It features a full kitchen, bath, and all elements
necessary to comfortably support four adults. What sets the zeroHouse
apart from other prefabricated structures on the market, however, is its
ability to operate independently, without the need for any external utility
or waste disposal connections. The zeroHouse can be used in many applications,
including residential uses in remote or ecologically sensitive locations,
as ecotourism resort units, or as living or office modules for remote
employment such as mining, construction, or relief agency uses.
Technical requirements were a major determinant in the initial design
and final appearance of the zeroHouse. Unlike many off-the-grid houses,
the zeroHouse integrates all systems to work in concert to improve efficiency,
thus the size, arrangement, elevation and orientation of many of the components
was critical to the proper function of the house. Additional constraints
were introduced by transportation and erection limits. The final configuration
of the zeroHouse achieves full operational independence of all major systems:
power supply, water collection, and waste recycling.
efficient
zeroHouse generates its own power.
High-efficiency solar panels produce power and store it in an onboard
bank of batteries. Fully charged, zeroHouse can operate continuously for
up to one week with no sunlight at all.
zeroHouse collects its own water.
A rainwater collection plane gathers and diverts water into an elevated
2200 gallon cistern. Plumbing fixtures are gravity-fed, eliminating the
need for power-consuming pumps.
zeroHouse processes its own waste products.
All organic waste is processed in a compost unit located beneath the house.
It converts the waste into clean, dry fertilizer that needs to be removed
only twice a year.
zeroHouse is completely automatic.
All functions of the house are monitored by an array of sensors, and regulated
by a “house brain” that can be controlled through any laptop
computer. zeroHouse is fully customizable for personal usage patterns,
from weekend getaway to extended-stay living.
comfortable
zeroHouse is designed for comfort as well as efficiency. Each house features
a fully-appointed living room with modular wraparound couch, 42”
LCD TV, and ample built-in storage. The kitchen has a full array of high-efficiency
appliances, including an induction cooktop, microwave oven, and full-size
refrigerator. The dining area includes a restaurant-style booth, and comfortably
seats four adults. Upstairs, a covered deck provides the perfect rooftop
perch for outdoor living. Two bedrooms come furnished with king-size beds,
window seats, and large closets. The bathroom, which features a large
shower, full vanity, and a porcelain low-flush toilet, opens onto its
own private sun-deck with outdoor shower and lounge chairs. zeroHouse
is fully climate-controlled, with a high-efficiency air-conditioning /
heating system and separately zoned sleeping and living areas. The walls,
roof, and floor are all insulated with closed-cell structural foam, and
achieve a thermal resistance rating of R-58. The full-wall windows in
each room are triple-insulated and fabricated from low-e heat-mirror glass.
Exterior doors feature vacuum-sealed aero- gel panels to maintain maximum
thermal performance. Finishes within the house are selected for beauty
and durability. Countertops, sinks, and bath surfaces are seamlessly fabricated
from solid-surfacing material. Natural-fiber fabrics and carpet are used
throughout the house, and bio-based wood composite wall and ceiling panels
can hold up to heavy use and retain their appearance. Fully-dimmable LED
lighting built into the wall and ceiling panels will last for up to 100,000
hours of continuous use. The interior of each zeroHouse can be customized
with many material and color combinations.
versatile
zeroHouse can be located almost anywhere. Two flatbed trucks carry all
the zeroHouse components to the site, and it can be erected in less than
a day. It can be installed in places that would be unsuitable for standard
construction including water up to ten feet deep, or on slopes of up to
thirty-five degrees. zeroHouse employs a helical-anchor foundation system
that touches the ground at only four points, requires no excavation, and
only disturbs the ground to a minimal degree. It is especially suitable
for use on environmentally-sensitive sites, or locations where no permanent
structural elements are permitted. zeroHouse is nearly maintenance-free.
The exterior is clad with integrally-colored body panels that are impervious
to scratching, denting, mildew and fading. Steel frame components are
bonded and powder-coated for corrosion prevention. No painting or resurfacing
is ever required. The photovoltaic panels, solar hot water panels, and
other devices are rated for indefinite use and do not lose efficiency
with continuous exposure. zeroHouse can be left uninhabited for extended
periods of time. The house can be put into a self-regulating “hibernate”
mode which conserves power while maintaining necessary housekeeping functions.
zeroHouse is also extremely secure. All windows feature laminated “Sentry-Glas”
for impact and penetration resistance. Exterior faces of doors are Kevlar
reinforced, and fully-mortised locking systems are used throughout. A
continuous web-based house monitoring system is also available.
The tubular steel frame of zeroHouse can withstand winds of up to 140
mph. The living modules feature flexible attachment points to the frame
to allow for deflection and movement without damage. The solar panels
are independently anchored and can detach in extreme wind conditions to
prevent damage to the rest of the house. Exterior cladding panels are
installed in a pressure-equalized rainscreen configuration that minimizes
the possibility of water penetration from driving rain. In many locations,
the zeroHouse will produce electrical power in excess of what is required
to operate the house. This excess energy can be used to operate any number
of remote devices, including the charging of electric or hybrid vehicles.
With the zeroHouse, completely fossil-free living is a possibility.
project facts
Location
The zeroHouse is being marketed worldwide. It has been designed to work
within an operational range of 36 N to 36 S latitude for year-round occupancy,
and 47 N to 47 S for partial-year occupancy.
Site Characteristics
The zeroHouse has been designed for use in a wide variety of site conditions.
Due to its unique foundation system, it can be installed on land with
a slope of up to 35 degrees, and in water to a depth of ten feet. It touches
the ground at only four points with minimal disturbance, making it appropriate
for environmentally sensitive areas. The flat-mounted solar array allows
the house to be oriented in any direction to take advantage of localized
views and access paths. A flexible structural exoskeleton provides resistance
to wind loads of up to 140mph.
Zoning Constraints
The house was designed to meet the most restrictive aspects of international
and local residential codes. Stair widths, railing heights, plumbing configurations,
and other items have been developed for maximum applicability worldwide.
Type of Client
The design and engineering work was financed by a venture capital group
with the intent of creating a start-up company to produce and market the
zeroHouse. This group has a long track record of supporting design-oriented
and sustainable business ideas.
Funding
Sufficient seed money has been provided to fully design the house, produce
all construction and engineering documents, and create a cost analysis
and business plan. Capital is currently being raised to produce a full-scale
working prototype. The intent is to use the documentation and prototype
to generate funds necessary for a full production run. Based on initial
studies, we are hoping to sell the completed zeroHouse for approximately
$350,000.
Schedule
All architectural and engineering documents have been completed, and a
preliminary cost analysis has been completed. The schedule for initiating
construction of the prototype is as of yet not determined, but an early
2007 start date is being anticipated.
Program
The zeroHouse is a small (650 s.f.), comfortable house that can operate
autonomously, with no need for utilities or waste connections. It generates
its own electrical power, collects and stores rainwater, and processes
all waste. The house is prefabricated, and able to be shipped via two
flatbed trailers. It can be field-erected in less than a day. The two-bedroom
house is configured for support of up to four adults, with a full bathroom,
kitchen / dining room, and living room. Outdoor living is featured, with
two elevated exterior terraces and an outdoor shower. The house is fully
air-conditioned and heated.
zeroHouse™ - images / text from Specht Harpman 290408
All the information above is copyright protected by Specht Harpman
Project – zeroHouse™
Architect – Specht Harpman
Design Team – Scott Specht, AIA; Louise Harpman, Assoc.AIA; Devin
Keyes; Frank Farkash
Consultants – Architectural Engineers Collaborative (structural);
J.Schripsema & Associates (solar power design)
SCOTT SPECHT I SPECHT HARPMAN I 1314 ROSEWOOD AVENUE, SUITE 103 AUSTIN,
TX 78702 T (512) 382-7938
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