North House at 2009 US Department of Energy Solar Decathlon, Washington DC
The North House is an 800sf proof of concept prototypical prefabricated solar powered home designed for northern climates (42°-55° latitude) whose goal is to advance approaches to responsive envelope design and challenge conventional assumptions regarding the design of domestic typologies for northern climates through the pairing of hybrid integrated active and passive envelope systems with interactive controls. In combining these technologies, the North House prototype delivers a net energy-producing dwelling that sponsors new relationships between occupants, their surrounding environment and building systems. The modular nature of the house and its component-based design and assembly allows for the base 800sf prototype to be easily expanded with additional bedrooms and/or a second storey. North House was designed to incorporate mass customization and prefabricated assembly technologies with the aim of providing a demonstration of alternative highly rationalized production techniques available to the housing industry. The project evolved as a collaboration between professional, academic and industry partners, and an inter-institutional team engaging faculty and graduate students from the University of Waterloo, Ryerson University, and Simon Fraser University. The house has received multiple awards and recognition for its technological and architectural innovations.
South facade: integrated photovoltaic panels with dynamically shaded glazing
Unique to the project, the design research team has developed the Distributed Responsive System of Skins (DReSS) prototype assembly to manage passive thermal gains, natural daylight penetration and distributed renewable energy production by responding to climatic conditions, diurnal cycles, and real time dynamic feedback. The DReSS system is comprised of active shading systems, high-performance glazing, and active building integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) systems that combine a hybrid approach to active and passive environmental response to deliver a net annual energy surplus while radically refiguring current practices regarding the using of transparent glazing systems for building design in the near-north. When tied to the grid, the home is rendered part of a distributed network of renewable energy production. For a complete account of the Responsive Envelope System as well as the custom control system developed for the North House, visit the research section: north house responsive envelope.
Detail of dynamic shading louvers on south facade
Dynamic exterior shading manages solar heat gain in the summer. In the winter, the shades fully retract so that the house can be heated passively through the expansive south-facing areas of glass.
Interior living space
The 800sf interior of the house makes the most of its small size with a large, bright, multifunctional living space that includes custom flexible furniture and a bed that retracts into the ceiling when guests arrive. Full height windows on the south, east and west facades allow for maximal daylight and connection to the exterior landscape. The ceiling plane is defined by a topography of suspended panels of comprised of shade fabric cells that both help to absorb sound reflection from interior surfaces and also help to diffuse lighting fixtures as well as to pull daylight deeper into the open living space. The interior finishes include a maple floor, douglas fir-fraced mullions and doors and a Bulthaup kitchen.
Interior with light diffusing ceiling
The ceiling plane is defined by a topography of suspended panels comprised of shade-fabric cells that both help to absorb sound reflection from interior surfaces and also help to diffuse lighting fixtures as they pull daylight deeper into the open living space. Over 4500 cells of shade fabric were parametrically modeled, laser cut from a fire-rated diffuser cloth, and assembled in removable panels. The topography of the ceiling plane was adjusted to inform the use of the space below, dipping down to create more intimacy and variation in the open living space.
Interior views of "densepack"
The north side of the house is defined by a highly insulated service and storage zone called the "densepack". This zone houses all of the mechanical functions, bathroom, storage and entry. It also provides lateral stability for the open living space to the south. The interior is lined in douglas fir panelling with integrates storage throughout.
Night view with shades retracted
For the detailed project team list, go to: north house team.
