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PHOTOS: Ohio State University’s Solar Decathlon enCORE House Does More with Less in a 900 Sq Foot Space
Posted By
Yuka Yoneda
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Architecture,Environment,Homes,Solar |
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The name “enCORE” refers to their house’s central core, which is what the foundation that the other components are layered around. Because all of the mechanical systems of the home are condensed into this central location, the other areas are left free for usable space. The areas have been divvied up to maximize functionality, and the 900 square foot home features 2 bedrooms, a kitchen, a bathroom, a deck, an office and even a den. These flexible rooms surround the home’s mechanical core and are set up in a way that maximizes natural light and ventilation.
Ohio State’s enCORE home already has a small footprint, but its powerful solar-panel clad roofalso greatly reduces the amount of electricity it needs to suck from the power grid. The array, which actually looks quite aesthetically pleasing on top of the home, consists of 108 angled thin-film First Solar panels and a flat plate collector. With an output of 8 kW, the array is actually on the lower end of the spectrum compared to some of the other homes we’ve written up already, but we do have to give them credit for being manufactured locally in Toledo, Ohio.
In addition to the impressive solar array, the house also uses both passive and active strategies like stack ventilation and a heat pump water heater to lower its energy and resource usage even further. The house has low-U value windows that are placed strategically amidst the prefab polycarbonate wall system in order to draw sunlight into the home, cutting down on the need for artificial lighting – something that will save a family living in the enCORE home more money even after they purchase it. The enCORE’s roof is also sloped to collect rainwater, which can then be used to water plants or for plumbing.
Think the enCORE house deserves to win? Give it your vote here!
+ Ohio State University enCORE House
+ Inhabitat’s Coverage of the 2011 Solar Decathlon
The exterior of Ohio State University’s Solar Decathlon home is one of our favorites in the competition. It’s modern, airy and fun.
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Ohio State University’s Solar Decathlon home was built to counteract these alarming stats: Today’s average American household has changed from 3.7 people living in a 1000 square foot home in 1940 to 3.1 people inhabiting a 2300+ square foot home 2010. Do we really need all that extra space with less people?
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The name “enCORE” refers to their house’s central core, which is what the foundation that the other components are layered around.
[5]
Because all of the mechanical systems of Ohio State University’s Solar Decathlon home are condensed into this central location, the other areas are left free for usable space.
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The areas inside Ohio State University’s Solar Decathlon home have been divvied up to maximize functionality.
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Ohio State University’s 900 sq ft Solar Decathlon home features 2 bedrooms, a kitchen, a bathroom, a deck, an office and even a den.
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These flexible rooms surround Ohio State University’s Solar Decathlon home’s mechanical core and are set up in a way that maximizes natural light and ventilation.
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Ohio State’s enCORE home already has a small footprint, but its powerful solar-panel clad roof (which is hidden by the siding in this photo) also greatly reduces the amount of electricity it needs to suck from the power grid.
[10]
Ohio State University’s Solar Decathlon home’s array, which actually looks quite aesthetically pleasing on top of the home, consists of 108 angled thin-film First Solar panels and a flat plate collector.
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With an output of 8 kW, the Ohio State University Solar Decathlon home’s array is actually on the lower end of the spectrum in terms of energy output to some of the other competing homes in the 2011 Solar Decathlon.
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We do have to give Ohio State University extra credit for choosing panels manufactured locally in Toledo, Ohio for their Solar Decathlon home.
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In addition to the impressive solar array, Ohio State University’s Solar Decathlon home also uses both passive and active strategies like stack ventilation and a heat pump water heater to lower its energy and resource usage even further.
[14]
Ohio State University’s Solar Decathlon home has low-U value windows that are placed strategically amidst the prefab polycarbonate wall system in order to draw sunlight into the home.
[15]
They cut down on the need for artificial lighting – something that will save a family living in the enCORE home more money even after they purchase it.
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The enCORE home’s roof is also sloped to collect rainwater.
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The water collected in Ohio State University’s Solar Decathlon home can then be used to water plants or for plumbing.
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Ohio State University’s Solar Decathlon home’s floorplan showing how well thought out the spaces are in this compact home.
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Ohio State University’s Solar Decathlon home also has an impressive outdoor landscape design which also reuses rain to water plants.
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Ohio State University’s Solar Decathlon home has a smart and kid-friendly design. Here, a colorful kid’s room.
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Ohio State University’s Solar Decathlon home’s modular polycarbonate walls do double duty as an aesthetically pleasing facade.
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Ohio State University’s Solar Decathlon home’s master bedroom feels very spacious and airy even though the house is only 900 sq. ft.
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Think Ohio State University’s Solar Decathlon home deserves to win? Give it your vote here!
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