LUMENHAUS: the responsive architecture, zero energy house

[Dover]

Imagine waking up on a cold winter’s morning to light streaming in through your bedroom window and the smell of fresh coffee. The concrete floor is warm and your favorite music starts to play as you eat your breakfast. As you drive away the house automatically locks, the thermostat reduces and the insulation panels close as the house goes into hibernation until you return. Welcome to LUMENHAUS, the completely solar powered, open plan house that uses computer technology, flexible architectural design and energy efficiency to adapt to its owner’s changing needs as well as environmental conditions.

Designed by students of Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University for the 2010 Solar Decathlon Europe – which it won – LUMENHAUS was inspired by the iconic glass pavilion-style Farnsworth House from Bauhaus architect Mies Van Der Rohe...cont'd

http://www.gizmag.com/lumenhaus-the-responsive-architecture-zero-energy-house-15639/15639/


Official site for the Lumenhaus:
http://www.lumenhaus.com/eu/sustainability/materials.html

[FSogol]

1. Cool. Congrats, VA Tech.

However, nothing in the article indicates zero energy. In most areas with temperature extremes, it will still need non-solar power.

[txlibdem]

2. I wonder how much it would cost to build one of these, say 1200 sq ft

That would be adequate for a young family. Could a young family afford one of these, I wonder?

That is, in my view, the challenge of all these innovative green design and building techniques. And it seems like this one might be approaching affordability for a lot of folks.