Winning LEED Platinum Home Designs to be Built in New Orleans

Recently, the <a href="http://www.usgbc.org/designcompetition" target="_blank">Natural Talent Design Competition</a> announced four winning sustainable and affordable homes for the Broadmoor neighborhood in New Orleans. Each winning entry is part of a series of homes all designed to <a href="../tag/leed-platinum" target="_blank">LEED Platinum</a> standards. Not only are these homes eco-friendly, but they have been planned to be low-cost, handicap accessible, and most importantly for this Louisiana area, hurricane resistant. Read on to find out more about these award-winning designs, which will soon be built in the Broadmoor neighborhood of New Orleans.

<h3>“The Little Easy” by Zero Energy Design and FreeGreen.com</h3> </br> The Little Easy was designed by Cornell University’s 2005 DOE Solar Decathlon Team, who after graduation, formed FreeGreen.com and ZeroEnergy Design, an architecture and energy consulting firm. </br> <a href="http://openarchitecturenetwork.org/projects/little-easy" target="_blank"><big>+ The Little Easy</big></a>

<h3>“The Little Easy” by Zero Energy Design and FreeGreen.com</h3> </br> The two bedroom house includes an outdoor porch that extends out the living area to make the home feel more spacious. The porch also includes a vertical garden with a series of planter trays that improve the ergonomics of gardening. </br> <a href="http://openarchitecturenetwork.org/projects/little-easy" target="_blank"><big>+ The Little Easy</big></a>

<h3>“The Little Easy” by Zero Energy Design and FreeGreen.com</h3> </br> The home is wheelchair accessible with a lift, is resistant to 150 mph hurricane winds, hosts a rainwater collection system and much more. </br> <a href="http://openarchitecturenetwork.org/projects/little-easy" target="_blank"><big>+ The Little Easy</big></a>

<h3>"Ramped Up" by Buro Happold Consulting Engineers and Rogers Marvel Architects</h3> </br> Ramped Up is an long and narrow elevated home adapted from the traditional shotgun typology and accessed via deck ramps for wheelchair accessibility. </br> <a href="http://openarchitecturenetwork.org/projects/ramped_up" target="_blank"><big>+ Ramped Up</big></a>

<h3>"Ramped Up" by Buro Happold Consulting Engineers and Rogers Marvel Architects</h3> </br> A rainwater harvesting system mitigates storm water runoff, reducing the impact of heavy rains on the city’s overburdened storm drainage system and covers 100% of the home’s irrigation demand. </br> <a href="http://openarchitecturenetwork.org/projects/ramped_up" target="_blank"><big>+ Ramped Up</big></a>

<h3>"Ramped Up" by Buro Happold Consulting Engineers and Rogers Marvel Architects</h3> </br> Windows and ceiling fans were strategically placed to promote passive ventilation during fall and spring. The side deck connects to the backyard and garden for a large and long outdoor living area. </br> <a href="http://openarchitecturenetwork.org/projects/ramped_up" target="_blank"><big>+ Ramped Up</big></a>

<h3>"Ramped Up" by Buro Happold Consulting Engineers and Rogers Marvel Architects</h3> </br> The home is largely built with wood using Advanced Wall Framing and "hurricane straps" in order reinforce the home against hurricane winds. </br> <a href="http://openarchitecturenetwork.org/projects/ramped_up" target="_blank"><big>+ Ramped Up</big></a>

<h3>"E.A.S.Y. House" by Carnegie Mellon architecture student, Wuijoon Ha</h3> </br> The E.A.S.Y. House is one of the winning student projects designed independently by Carnegie Mellon architecture student, Wuijoon Ha. E.A.S.Y stands for Efficiency. Accessibility. Safety. You. </br> <a href="http://openarchitecturenetwork.org/projects/easy_house" target="_blank"><big>+ E.A.S.Y. House</big></a>

<h3>"E.A.S.Y. House" by Carnegie Mellon architecture student, Wuijoon Ha</h3> </br> Keeping it simple was the main idea behind Ha's concept - the house was designed to be both easy to build as easy to maintain. </br> <a href="http://openarchitecturenetwork.org/projects/easy_house" target="_blank"><big>+ E.A.S.Y. House</big></a>

<h3>"E.A.S.Y. House" by Carnegie Mellon architecture student, Wuijoon Ha</h3> </br> The home is to be built with SIPs and modular construction based on a 2' increment and includes operable skylights, a green roof and a wheelchair lift. </br> <a href="http://openarchitecturenetwork.org/projects/easy_house" target="_blank"><big>+ E.A.S.Y. House</big></a>

<h3>"Broadmoore Residence" by Greenboy Design</h3> </br> This two bedroom home is the other winning student project design by a University of Hawaii design team called Greenboy Design. Their design is elevated 8' above grade to include a carport underneath. </br> <a href="http://openarchitecturenetwork.org/projects/broadmoor_greenboy" target="_blank"><big>+ Broadmoor Residence</big></a>

<h3>"Broadmoore Residence" by Greenboy Design</h3> </br> Passive design, operable windows and vents and orientation help this home reduce energy needs while a solar system on the roof provides a bit extra. </br> <a href="http://openarchitecturenetwork.org/projects/broadmoor_greenboy" target="_blank"><big>+ Broadmoor Residence</big></a>

<h3>"Broadmoore Residence" by Greenboy Design</h3> </br> A 96 foot sloped ramp skirts the side of the home and provides wheelchair access to the house. In addition, a staircase at the front provides quicker access and a wheelchair lift provides another route into the house. </br> <a href="http://openarchitecturenetwork.org/projects/broadmoor_greenboy" target="_blank"><big>+ Broadmoor Residence</big></a>