A unique feature inside the house is a moveable wall that serves as both a bookcase and a secret door to the bedroom located off the living room. When not open, the bedroom remains completely concealed. This feature also helps with temperature control by creating more localized environments which can be efficiently heated or cooled when in use.
While the house’s interior space is more broken up than other entries, the tall, sloped ceilings, big windows and combination of natural woods and light-colored walls give it an open, airy feel. The layout was designed for a family living in multifamily housing in a historic neighborhood setting, and it serves this purpose quite well. It effectively offers a divide between social and private life while incorporating a circular flow that encourages dwellers to move through and use all the rooms.
+ Department of Energy 2011 Solar Decathlon
+ Tidewater Virginia
Images by Amanda Silvana Coen for Inhabitat
Why do you see so many European windows and doors at the Solar Decathlon exhibit? This is a question asked by many visitors. The answer is quite simple: The major American window manufacturers spend millions of lobbying dollars to prevent tighter energy regulations instead of re-designing their 1 3/4 inch sashes to accommodate energy efficient glazing. Sad but true, companies such as Henselstone Window and Door Systems have to come here and help America get energy independent.
Like this house very much. Very practical and simple.