the 2005 solar house - school of architecture + design, Virginia Tech

THE 2005 SOLAR HOUSE
Virginia Tech’s Award Winning Entry into the 2005 US Department of Energy’s
Solar Decathlon Competition
AWARDS
• AIA President’s Citation (2005). Awarded by the president of the National American
Institute of Architects to the Virginia Tech 2005 Solar House for Best House in the
2005 Solar Decathlon.
• First Place Honors; All Qualitative Categories of the 2005 Solar Decathlon (2005).
The competition was held by the U.S. Department of Energy on the National Mall in
Washington DC and included 17 competing teams from major international research
institutions. First place honors achieved in the Architecture, Dwelling, Electrical
Lighting, and Natural Day Lighting categories. The house also placed third in
Engineering and fourth out of 18 in the overall competition.
• NCARB Prize; Honorable Mention (2006). National Council of Architectural
Registration Boards Prize for Creative Integration of Practice and Education in the
Academy. “No Compromise: The Integration of the Technical and the Aesthetic”
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University School of Architecture and Design
(Team Award – acted as lead investigator)
• VSAIA Honor Award for Excellence in Architecture (2006). The State of Virginia
AIA recognized the design of the Virginia Tech 2005 Solar Decathlon house. (Team
Award, project lead)
EXHIBITIONS
• VT ’05 House @ Richmond Science Museum (2007-present).
The house was installed at the Science Museum of Virginia as a permanent exhibition
on energy and sustainability in residential design. The exhibit opening was part of a
reception to host the General Assembly of Congress of Virginia. Senator John
Wagner also lived in the house for one-week period to promote energy efficiency and
renewable energy. Richmond, VA.
• VT ’05 House @ Cowgill Hall (2005).
The house was temporarily relocated to Cowgill Hall where it served as a team-room
for the NAAB Accrediting team. It was also open for tours to the university students,
prospective students and the general public. Blacksburg, VA.
• VT ’05 House @ Dietrich Lawn (2005).
After a successful performance in the 2005 Solar Decathlon competition, the ’05 house
was exhibited on Dietrich Lawn of the Virginia Tech campus for a three month period.
While there it was used for “game day” public tours, university events, and for
filming/photography by CNN, and ABC’s Extreme Home Makeover. Blacksburg, VA.
• VT ’05 House on the National Mall (2005).
D.O.E. Solar Decathlon Competition. Exhibited for 2 weeks for the international
competition where the house was open for public tours daily receiving over 200,000
visitors. Washington, D.C.
• VT ’05 House @ Lowes in Christiansburg (2005).
Public exhibition during final construction of the ‘05 solar house in the Lowes parking
lot on Peppers Ferry Road. Several open-house tours were offered to the general
public during the one month construction/exhibition period. Christiansburg, VA.
PRESS
• DIY Network Documentary (2006). "The 2005 Solar Decathlon" Features the VT
solar house. .
• HGTV: I Want That (2006). The Virginia Tech solar house translucent wall assembly.
• THIS OLD HOUSE (2006). Episode 5721. Host Richard Thoughey features VT solar
house project on the national mall.
• ESPN: Game Day (2005). Third-quarter commercial break focus and walkthrough of
the 2005 VT Solar Decathlon house.
• CBS Evening News with Connie Chung (2005). Interview from VT solar house on the
National Mall, Washington, D.C.
• Washington Post (2006). “Senator Wagner’s Stay at the VT Solar House”
• New York Times (2005). “Solar Home in VA. Getting High Marks.”
• Washington Post (2005). "Students Mold Solar Power into Architectural Delights"
• Architectural Lighting Magazine (2006). “Solar Living: A Fully Integrated Design
Process Creates Seamless Application of Electric/Day-Lighting Solutions.”
• Architectural Lighting Magazine (2006). Virginia Tech Solar House: Winner of SD
2005 Lighting Competitions.
• Dwell Magazine (2006). “Let the Sun Shine In.”
• Dwell Magazine; (2006). “VT winner of Architecture and Dwelling of the 2005 DOE
Solar Decathlon Competition.”
• Popular Mechanics (2006) “Sun City” The 2005 Virginia Tech solar house featured
for its award-winning, energy efficient design.
• Inform: Architecture + Design, VSAIA Magazine (2007). “Let There Be Light—Virginia
Tech’s Solar House Shines Again at the Science Museum of Virginia.”
• Inform: Architecture + Design, VSAIA Magazine (2006). “Hokies Make Strong
Showing in Second Solar Decathlon.”
• Inform: Architecture + Design, VSAIA Magazine (2006). Virginia Society AIA
recognizes VT’s 2005 solar house and its success in the Solar Decathlon.
• CBS TV News, Richmond (2007). Coverage of Senator Wagner’s stay at the VT solar
house,
• Channel 12 News - Roanoke (2007). Coverage of Senator Wagner’s stay at the VT
solar house.
• The Roanoke Times New River Valley Current (2007). “Tech Students display unique
creations in Milan.”
• WDBJ TV News, Roanoke (2007). Coverage of Senator Wagner’s stay at the VT
Solar House.
• The West Wind - Richmond Rotary Club Weekly Newsletter (2007).
“The Science Involved in an Energy Efficient House”
• WSLS TV News, Roanoke (2007). Coverage of Senator Wagner’s stay at the VT Solar
House.
• WTKR TV News, Richmond (2007). Coverage of Senator Wagner’s stay at the VT
Solar House
NCARB PRIZE
No Compromise – the integration of technology and aesthetics
Students and practitioners from architecture, industrial design, interior design, landscape
architecture, mechanical, electrical, and structural engineering developed new and efficient
components comprising a house that derives all of its energy from the sun. The goal is to
develop sustainable ways of building - and thinking about building - through collaborative design
and construction.
Introduction
Since the 1970’s production costs of photovoltaics and related components have steadily
declined, and better efficiency is making solar technology a viable source of energy for
many building applications. The focus of this project centers on research of this subject
and its accessibility to architectural practice, academia, the construction industry and
ultimately to the general public.
The increasing demand for energy contrasted against the goal to reduce consumption of
fossil fuels are competing trends of significant influence on daily life styles. In an effort to
reduce the use of electricity, the U.S. Department of Energy is actively promoting the use
of renewable energy sources. Energy consumption in residential and commercial
buildings accounts for about 37 percent of our nation’s energy budget. Buildings
typically operate at less than 50 percent overall efficiency. With the nation’s energy
security and future in mind, collaborations between private industry, practice and
academia are pivotal to address systemic issues of architecture and building technology.
This project is one such effort to research, realize and test building components that will
reduce the nations demand for energy while improving the quality of architectural space.
The housing industry has been reticent to experiment with new building techniques that
could make buildings less energy intensive. Houses constructed by small, local trades
have not changed their construction techniques in decades. The panelized housing
industry and prefabricated factory built processes represent some improvement in speed
and waste reduction, but overall the results are conservative and energy saving is
minimal. To transform the industry radical changes are needed. This project proposes
the use of alternative technologies and new materials to adapt to new lifestyles and the
changing patterns of the ways people live and work. Ideas from the areas of material
science and product development stimulated new territories of opportunity for the
practice of architecture. Though the object was to produce a functioning house, the longterm research goal is to make buildings more efficient, affordable, and livable.
The program was derived in a competition sponsored by the Department of Energy. The
charge was to design, build and operate the most effective and efficient house powered
solely by the sun. In addition to design and construction, the house had to be shipped to
Washington, D.C. for testing and exhibition. The complexity of the task could not be met
by a single discipline acting in isolation. Nor could success be achieved in a mode of
each group contributing its expertise in a linear sequential fashion. The process had to
be integral from the start within a free flowing network of information. The team was
composed of graduate and undergraduate students from seven disciplines - architecture,
industrial design, interior design, landscape architecture, electrical, mechanical, and
structural engineering. It also included faculty and practicing architects and engineers
who served as advisors. It is rare for such a group to work together in the university
setting. Yet when these students enter practice, collaborative skills will be an essential
part of their day-to-day activities. Phases of activity that involved the whole team are
described below:
Design Concept and Philosophy
The design process was driven by a multidisciplinary approach that challenges research
through application. It harnesses the tension created by the dualities of calculation and
intuition; technological innovation and architectural expression; optimized performance
and sensible materials; and between physical fact and psychic effect. Simultaneous
consideration of technology and architectural content has guided the identity of the
house. Every decision involving quantitative criteria was measured in terms of its
contribution to spatial quality.
New forms have been derived from technical
considerations, and enriched patterns of daily life find expression in a celebration of
energy awareness and resource conservation.
With the growing need for effective utilization of resources, there is a desire to develop
architectural forms derived from harnessing the sun while addressing local climatic
conditions. Developing such forms requires going beyond adding environmental control
systems to standard building types. Rather, these new forms must evolve from an
approach of systems integration that maximizes the benefits from heat, light and airflow.
Currently, new and emerging technologies such as photovoltaics and insulation systems
allow existing architectural design paradigms to be modified while improving
performance. Materials that are renewable, recyclable and reflect low embodied energy
can be used in combination to decrease the level of adverse environmental impact. This
project pushes existing paradigms by proposing an architectural form that celebrates
solar energy while obtaining a high level of system integration.
Engagement With the Profession
Two years prior to the 2005 Solar Decathlon, we started with office visits our immediate
three-state region and a major metropolitan area. At each office, a presentation was
made describing the preliminary student project. We asked for a critical review and
suggestions to how the project could be improved. Practitioners were invited to visit the
house while it was under construction at the college’s Research and Demonstration
Facility. Here, suggestions regarding detailing, material selection, and overall design
were addressed. Several of the participating firms were selected based on their
involvement with the USGBC LEED standard. The exposure of our students to this
cadre of leaders of the profession proved to be invaluable. Some of these firms choose
to financially support the project as well. This took the form of a “Firm Day” sponsorship
on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. A “Firm Day” provided exposure to the
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sponsoring group during that day of the competition. Students wore Tee shirts with the
logo of the sponsoring firm and the participating offices brought large numbers of their
group to the Mall for a personalized tour.
Since the competition, the plan is to become a AIA Continuing Education Systems
registered provider to deliver a unit on “Building Integrated Photovoltaics (BPIV),” as well
as other topics related to the highly-integrated systems aspect of the project. Our same
pool of firms that advised and supported us during the 2005 Solar Decathlon, are also
being asked for input regarding the content area for the continuing education module(s)
under development. We see the Solar Decathlon project as a natural vehicle to more
closely integrate the academy with the profession.
Research
Architectural research does not necessarily fit the scientific model and thus has not been
given due credit in the university. To the outsider, the iterative nature of design tends to
make the process appear redundant or sometimes without focus. The Academy is often
criticized for generating knowledge that does not always have a direct correspondence
to application, while the conventional method of practice is often viewed as too insular
and predictable. To break though the stereotypes, our interdisciplinary team sought to
develop alternatives to the normative methods of architecture through the application of
new materials and manufacturing techniques. Early interaction between the architect,
engineer, supplier and manufacturer encouraged the development of more efficient and
elegant building components. Materials were examined through various qualitative and
quantitative criteria. Characteristics of low embodied energy, durability, minimal off
gassing and recycling potential were contrasted with their contribution to spatial quality.
A synopsis of innovative components include:
• Translucent wall assembly - Polycarbonate panels filled with nanogel, a
translucent aerogel, provide a R-22 insulation value while delivering a soft
glowing light that animates the entire space. Increasing natural daylight in
building has long been a goal in architectural design. Studies have shown that
people thrive in natural lighting: they are healthier, happier and more productive.
• Tuneable walls - Motorized shades between the polycarbonate panels allow for
darkening of walls; linear actuators ventilate the cavity and give additional
thermal and moisture control; LED lights allow for any desired wall color, no paint
required.
• Expanded polystyrene structural insulated panels that are lightweight, easily
assembled, and yield a high insulation value comprise the north wall.
• Cabinet enclosures are made of an annually renewable wheat straw. The
material exhibits reduced volatile organic compound emissions, including a
reduction of formaldehyde emissions by 97%.
• The landscape is built to demonstrate water conservation techniques through
developing a system that integrates the exterior and interior environments
inclusive of a rain water harvesting system, constructed wetlands, and planting
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schemes. The water system is developed as a three-part system of rainwater
harvesting, wastewater treatment system, and irrigation system.
Appliances were selected based on three criteria: maximum energy efficiency
(energy star rated); practicality and accessibility; and visual elegance that creates
a coherent wall module. The kitchen was designed as a service area that
occupies a small volume yet offers full service.
Paint products use sustainable raw materials such as soy and sunflower oil and
emit no VOC’s.
Eucalyptis flooring was used throughout the house. It is highly durable requiring
little maintenance and is harvested from renewable, managed forests.
Underneath lies a Radiant floor – the best quality of heat. There is little air noise
or movement and the ambient temperature can be kept lower saving energy.
The roof is a lightweight folded-plate structure filled with foam insulation. Its form
sets the solar panels at an optimum angle for energy collection and modulates
the interior space. The top of the roof responds to the demands of harvesting
sunlight while the corresponding underside creates rooms that provide intimacy
yet appear much larger than the modest square footage
Transportation – In order to keep the height of the house as low as possible on
the highway, a lowboy chassis serving as the floor and foundation structure was
designed to receive a detachable gooseneck and rear axels for transport. A
truss on each side of the 48’ span resists deflection while in transit. Upon site
arrival, the trusses rotate down 90 degrees to create a deck surround for the
house. This transforming technique facilitates the moving of the house as an
educational exhibition piece after the competition and also serves as a model for
the potential shipment of units with the roof in place.
As a result of this work three major manufacturers are considering a joint project to
develop a product from the translucent/tuneable wall assembly that can be adjusted to
any color. An international supplier has requested the development of a continuing
education course base on this solar house technology. In addition, a national
manufacturer of cabinetry (using the renewable wheat board for the first time in this
project) is considering wider use of sustainable materials.
Design Process
To promote interest and awareness across a wide range of students, an internal
competition for proposals was held. Of the 50 teams comprised of architecture, industrial
and interior design, and mechanical and electrical engineering students, seven were
selected to advance their designs. Once the project had been selected, a special
research class was conducted involving 80 students who examined all aspects of the
project collaborating on issues such as material selection, energy collection systems,
conservation strategies, and transportation. Design development, prototyping, and
construction documents proceeded through a network of digital and face to face
meetings of teams.
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The 24-month process involved individuals with varying degrees of skill, expertise, and
background. Teamwork in conjunction with strong student leadership was required.
Problem solving, information flow and integration, alternative generation, ideation,
innovative troubleshooting and testing are all part of an experience where the
consequences of decisions are real and verifiable. This design/build, hands-on learning
experience not only requires innovative design strategies; it necessitates a program of
funding through corporate and industry contacts. As part of this effort, students in
collaboration with architects and engineers, surveyed manufacturers and suppliers to
procure materials that were sustainable, energy conscious and a qualitative
improvement for the residential environment.
Prototyping
Because of the unique nature of the materials and assemblies selected, prototyping
became essential to the successful development and integration of the building systems.
At times full-scale mockups were constructed to determine if the overall solution would
work. Another area in which prototypes were used related to the engineered systems.
Here prefabricated modules were developed by architecture and engineering students to
be tested and evaluated prior to their installation in the constructed building module.
Construction was interwoven with prototyping, testing and re-design. Since many of the
materials and components were new to this type of application, techniques of fastening
and assembly had to be explored. In many cases jigs and special fixtures were designed
to meet particular needs.
Industry Ties
Material and system selection evolved hand-in-hand with industry. As much as possible,
regional businesses were selected that supplied materials and systems that had the
desired characteristics identified in the design phase. The students worked closely with
these industries to understand the specific requirements of installation. At times, industry
representatives conducted workshops on the correct way of using their products. There
were several instances in which students suggested new and innovative approaches to
the use of the products to the manufacturers. There were 75 participating industries
supplying material and services to the project. The original contacts made with these
companies are evolving into long-term research relationships.
Communication
With the project team being as large as eighty students and six faculty crossing two
colleges and six departments, there needed to be a mechanism whereby information
could be readily exchanged and communication facilitated. A website was constructed
to help in this process. An intranet with password access was implemented through a
web portal. Here, updated information would be posted that included construction
drawings, material specifications, all written documents pertaining to the project, and
special notices that needed to brought to the attention of the team. There was also a
“public” side to the website not requiring password access where general information
about the project could be obtained. This is where the general public and media were
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directed to find out more information. Because of anonymity requirements of this
competition, the URL for the website has been included in the sealed envelope
accompanying the program material.
New and Enabling Analysis Tools
The extensive use of simulation and modeling tools was a primary focus of the project.
Here, advanced state-of-the-art computer tools were used to refine and to predict the
performance of the design. An iterative process of design, simulation and evaluation
was used to refine the solution before committing to putting the building together.
Performance of the project during the competition was essential but was also necessary
to demonstrate performance beyond the physical occupation on the Mall and
demonstrate that the building could in fact operate properly the other eleven months of
the year for Washington, DC. Computing tools for the structural analysis included a finite
element analysis tool (FEA). The students used the structural analysis tool SAP5 under
the direction of a structural engineer to perform this phase of design and refinement. In
addition to the structural performance, natural ventilation strategies were explored using
a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) tool, Flowvent. Flowvent was used to optimize
window placement and openings and to devise a strategy of operability. A variety of
computer tools were used to size both the solar thermal and solar photovoltaic
components of the building. F-Cart was used to analyze solar thermal energy collection
on a monthly basis and PV-Design Pro was used to analyze the solar PV system on an
hourly basis. Overall hourly building energy use was determined by using PowerDOE.
Results from these three programs were tied together through a system integration
spreadsheet (SIS) implemented in Microsoft Excel that simulated the building power
distribution system, the vehicle charging system, and the operation of the batteries.
Advanced visualization tools were used to provide a better spatial understanding of the
designed solution and to facilitate with system integration. A comprehensive 3D
computer model of the project was generated and placed in a CAVE. A CAVE (Computer
Automatic Virtual Environment) is a multi-person, room-sized, high-resolution, 3D video
and audio environment. Graphics are rear projected in stereo onto three walls and the
floor, and viewed with stereo glasses. The correct perspective and stereo projections of
the environment are updated by a supercomputer, and the images move with and
surround the viewer. Hence stereo projections create 3D images that appear to have a
presence both inside and outside the projection-room continuously. The CAVE
environment allowed the students to explore integration alternatives of routing pipes,
electrical and data communication cabling within a space-constrained compact plan. The
CAVE also allowed students to present their intentions of their project to the public by
having a media advertised “virtual tour.”
What makes this Project Different and Better
Solar technology has been burdened with a stigma of ugly and unreliable equipment that
destroyed any sense of proportion and beauty in building. Arbitrarily attached to new or
existing construction, the technology became associated with a small clique of
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individuals disenfranchised from mainstream public taste. This project is designed to
challenge those perceptions and reestablish the ideals of solar energy by integrating
architecture and technology. It pushes existing paradigms by proposing an architectural
form that celebrates solar energy while obtaining a high level of system integration.
Developing such forms requires going beyond adding environmental control systems to
standard building types. Rather, these new forms must evolve from an approach of
systems integration that maximizes the benefits from heat, light and airflow. This project
has a high degree of configurability allowing the enclosure system to adapt to different
climatic conditions. With the tuneable wall system, the adaptability can be applied
instantaneously allowing the wall to respond to daily environmental changes or it can be
configured to adapt to different regional climates
In this innovative house, new forms have been derived from technical considerations,
and enriched patterns of daily life find expression in a celebration of energy awareness
and resource conservation. For example, the solar panels are subsumed in a form of
intuitive lightness that expresses the collection of the sun’s energy; the massive north
wall provides protection and reinforces the ephemeral spatial quality of the translucent
panels; the surrounding cedar deck builds a presence of site for an industrialized
product; and the technical systems are given order and care commensurate with the
activity areas of the house. As each technical decision was measured against its
contribution to spatial effect, the project approached a simultaneous sense of the
sustainable and the beautiful.
Conclusion
We feel strongly that this core educational experience under the direction of faculty who
are also practitioners, provided an invaluable opportunity to more than eighty
participating students. An educational experience that goes beyond traditional practice
has been provided to our students. Through the primary vehicle of design/build, we may
have exceeded the range of experience available to the student through mirroring
traditional practice. Through the careful guidance of faculty and faculty who are also
active practitioners this experience has spanned the breadth of research, ideation,
design, prototyping, working with industry, communications, construction, transportation,
operations, and evaluation. With new and expanding phases of this project we will
continue to engage practitioners seeking a closer tie with the academy providing a twoway exchange of ideas and experience.
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Transportation
Shipping something this big presents its own set of problems – a unique solution was
derived from special collaboration between the architects and structural engineers. In
order to keep the height of the house as low as possible on the highway, a lowboy
chassis serving as the floor and foundation structure was designed to receive a
detachable gooseneck and rear axels for transport. A truss on each side of the 48’ span
resists deflection while in transit. Upon site arrival, the trusses rotate down 90 degrees to
create a deck surround for the house. This transforming technique facilitates the moving
of the house as an educational exhibition piece after the competition and also serves as
a model for the potential shipment of units with the roof in place.
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Section through Kitchen
View looking from living room. The kitchen is integrated into the north core wall.
Top lit Interlam panels in the alcoves beyond the dining room are an example of spatial modulation through light that gives the sensation of a larger volume.
Rain water is harvested from scuppers on the east and west facades and stored in tanks for gray water irrigation of landscape elements.
Construction approaching final stage with testing of LED lights.
The north facade truss just before initial lowering.
Truss in horizontal position with cedar deck planks in place
PLAN
The house is approached from the west up a gentle ramp along cascading trays of water plants. A roof
cantilever provides an initial change of scale and protection from the weather. One is first presented with
the continuity of the translucent skin and an intimation of what lies behind. Circulation is along the north core wall and
projects directly out to the east door in the bedroom. The activity spaces of the living, dining, and bedroom borrow
from the circulation, maintaining a positive ambiguity of use with the strong entry axis. The bedroom is the most
closed, sharing part of the core that contains closets and the laundry. The dining room is defined by the axis of the
table that links the horizontal window in the kitchen and the large patio doors opening to the deck. It shares space
with the living room whose domain is nestled into the adjoining column bay and the corner of the translucent panels.
Aerial view showing placement of cedar decks.
View looking across dining area to living room. The collar beam above doorways carries electrical chase and up lighting to reflect off fabric ceiling.
Living room at night with selected color.
Roof with solar panels in extended mode.
North Core Wall interior contains electrical closet, LCD screen, pull out
coat closet, pull out pantries, storage above and below kitchen window,
refrigerator, mechanical closet for water tanks and heat pumps, washer/
dryer, fold-out ironing board, and pull out closets.The dark line running the
length of the wall contains the registers for air conditioning.
North Core Wall exterior houses inverters, batteries and electrical
equipment for the solar panels. The same degree of care and order is given
to technical equipment as to the layout and detail of interior spaces.
Final stage of assembly on Mall in Washington D.C.
View from southwest toward entry overlooking cascading water plants