The New Norris House Brings a 21st Century Sustainable Model for Living to Tennessee

As part of the construction of the Norris Dam in Tennessee back in 1933, the Tennessee Valley Water Authority also built the model community of Norris along with an example of modern and efficient living called the "Norris House". Now that we've made it to the next century and reached a new echelon of sustainability, the <a href="http://www.thenewnorrishouse.com/">Norris House</a> has been due for an update. The University of Tennessee and <a href="http://inhabitat.com/tag/clayton-homes">Clayton Homes</a> recently completed their update to the model using prefab construction, energy efficient design, innovative water systems and sustainable landscaping. Plans have been made for a professor and a graduate student from the University of Tennessee to live in the home next year, where they will <a href="http://www.thenewnorrishouse.com/blog.htm" target="_blank">blog about their experience</a> in the updated sustainable housing model.

At the time, Norris was considered innovative and model for modern and efficient living.

The town was encircled by a greenbelt for use by the residents and the homes all had electricity, which was more advanced than anything else in the area.

But 75 years later, the model hardly holds water anymore, so the University of Tennessee set out to revamp the model with <a href="http://inhabitat.com/category/sustainable-building">sustainable design and architecture</a>.

"The new Norris house will transpose the original vision of a sustainable Norris and embrace the adept, global social network while locating itself with a lightness and vernacular rigor essential to the original TVA vision."

The New Norris House relies on prefabricated construction, with prefab-builder, <a href="http://inhabitat.com/tag/clayton-homes">Clayton Homes</a> handling the design and fabrication of the house.

With a relatively <a href="http://inhabitat.com/tag/small-space-living">small footprint</a> and only 768 sq ft, the homes makes good use of its space built in storage, a lofted space, vaulted ceilings, outdoor living space and a landscaped yard.

Energy efficient Anderson doors and windows are combined with, natural daylighting, a solar hot water heater and and rainwater collection, and reclaimed wood.

A number of other green building strategies were included as well, which should help the team achieve <a href="http://inhabitat.com/tag/leed-platinum">LEED Platinum certification</a>.

The home has already won an EPA award in 2009 and a 2011 Prize for Creative Integration of Practice and Education from the National Council of Architectural Registration Board.

The home is estimated to have cost the team $300,000-400,000.

Over the next year the home will be monitored and tested as a living laboratory.

Installation of the prefabricated structure by Clayton Homes.

Early model of the New Norris House.