Soleta ZeroEnergy One by FITS

Soleta ZeroEnergy One was designed by FITS (Justin Capră Foundation for Inventics and Sustainable Technologies) and is located in Bucharest, Romania.

It is part of an initiative called the Soleta zeroEnergy, which seeks to create self-sustainable homes.
Soleta ZeroEnergy One by FITS:

“Soleta zeroEnergy is a new concept of premium eco homes, developed by the Justin Capra Foundation for Inventics and Sustainable Technologies (FITS). The finalized functional prototype of this concept, Soleta zeroEnergy One, is in Bucharest, Romania.

Following the architectural and constructive concepts of this prototype, a whole family of Soleta homes, with multiple functionalities and of different sizes, easily adaptable to a host of destinations, such as home (permanent use or vacation), office, kindergaden or sport/fitness joints was developed.

Affordable and versatile, with minimal energy consumption, low running costs and positive eco-impact, Soleta concept is a viable alternative solution for conventional housing construction technologies. Soleta homes are defined by an unusual architecture, enclosing a bright, healthy, fully monitored environment.

The pillars of Soleta concept can be summarized by four fundamental principles:

1. Reducing energy consumption, by minimizing loss and employing energy-saving measures.

2. Using renewable energy forms such as geo, solar, wind, hydro and so on.

3. Creating the most efficient way of using conventional forms of energy, when renewable energy sources are not available. In order to reduce pollution, a set of active measures, such as tree planting, garbage recycling, etc. are employed.

4. Creating a modular living solution architectural concept which allows increasing the comfort and functionality by adding future modules at any time after erecting the building, without interfering with the structural integrity of the building.

zeroEnergy concept. Ecology.

In the last few years, studies has shown that many of the low-energy homes constructive solutions creates a serious discomfort for their inhabitants. These homes are over-insulated, the costs for a healthy interior enironment are sky-rocketing and the home-enironment interaction is lessening. The ancestral link between nature and home is currently missing. In stark contrast, Soleta zeroEnergy employs a series of energy-efficient technologies that minimizes loss and provides the necessary energy for the home (zeroEnergy concept) using renewable sources (sun, wind, hydro, geo, etc.), without adversely impacting the environment. Therefore, the exterior sides of the home, directly exposed to the elements (walls) are kept to a minimum and high-efficiency window panels that provides natural lighting (free sunlight) are used. Soleta homes comes with: natural ventilation system, integrated forced ventilation with energy recovery system, thermal energy storage integrated in floor, LED lighting and rainwater storage and treatment system. For further economy, a smart energy, climate and ventilation monitoring and managing system (KNX) is used. Reducing energy consumption by up to 45%, this system can also be remote controlled using a mobile phone or a similar device.

For heating and warm water production, there are many solutions available:

A combined system of solar heat collectors – water-water heat pump;

High efficiency wood or wood pellets stove – solar heat collectors;

Air-air heat pump – solar collectors;

Soleta homes are built using natural, locally available, renewable materials, with the exception of polyurethane thermal insulation and plasterboards for the interior walls finishing (the latter could also be replaced by plyboard, made from natural wood.) The structure is made of glue-laminated wood, and the roofing is also constructed of wood: traditional shingle tiles. The floors are constructed of pinewood, thermally insulated with yet another nautral material, cellulose. The stylish exterior walls are made of white-painted spruce wood planks.

Soleta zeroEnergy One

Soleta One is the first Soleta ZeroEnergy concept home built in Romania. Soleta zeroEenergy One has a particular and innovating architecture. Besides the 48 sqm. interior, a suspended under-roof sleeping area with 9 sqm. (96 sqft) and an exterior terrace with 22 sqm. (237 sqft) are built as an integrated, fully functional unit. Currently, Soleta One is FITS’s showroom, and we welcome daily visits. Soleta One is located in Bucharest, Romania, in the front of the U.S. Embassy.

 http://www.homedsgn.com/2013/05/09/soleta-zeroenergy-one-by-fits/

You have read this article Architecture / Green House with the title Green House. You can bookmark this page URL https://emill-emil.blogspot.com/2013/05/soleta-zeroenergy-one-by-fits.html. Thanks!

The Power Haus -22 HERS Index Home

The ‘Power Haus’ by Josh Wynne Construction in Sarasota, Florida has achieved the lowest HERS rating on record in the U.S., a negative 22, with an elegant, well-crafted design. Earning 118 LEED points the home is just shy of also becoming the highest scoring LEED home in the country by 1.5 points to the Helenowski Residence in Chicago, which holds the highest known score at 119.5.
With a negative HERS score, the Power Haus is producing more energy than it consumes on a yearly net basis.  The home has a 14.2 kW Uni-Solar Flex-Lite amorphous silica (peel and stick) array to bring it into so-called climate positive territory. Not considering the solar, Power Haus would still achieve a 42 HERS index which is noteworthy in and of itself. They were able to achieve such energy savings through a variety of passive and technological applications.
Power Haus is carefully situated within large existing trees, of which shadow lines were studied in conjunction with large 4’ eaves to provide protection from the Florida sun.  Importance was paid to the ability to open the home to the outdoors and capture the westerly breeze.
To assist in the natural ventilation the house is equipped with ceiling fans, including one 8’ in diameter in the great room, and large expanses of operable windows and doors.  An independent dehumidification was installed to counter the Florida humidity and increase the number of natural ventilation days.
 http://www.jetsongreen.com/2011/05/the-power-haus-22-hers-index-florida.html



The building envelop is a standard CMU construction wall type with foam insulation filled within the open cells of the CMU block (R-15) and VR-Plus II permeable radiant barrier (R-7.2) to fight against thermal bridging.  Closed cell bio-based R-30 spray foam insulation was applied exterior of the moisture barrier to allow for the elegant interior tongue and groove ceiling and glu-lam beams.
With durability an important goal the builder pursued impact resistant, low-e, argon filled windows from Jeld Wen with a 0.3 SHGC and 0.19 U-value.
Technological applications include 21 SEER Carrier Infinity HVAC system, Eternal gas tankless hybrid water heater, Energy Star appliances and 100% LED lighting.  Power Haus is fully automated with real-time energy production and lighting controls available on an iPad or iPhone through Elan Home Systems.  In addition to energy efficiency, the home shows a commitment to sustainability with polished concrete floors, clay wall finish, and reclaimed cypress or FSC wood throughout the house.

Outside the green home, landscape irrigation is eliminated through the use of a native and drought tolerant plant palate.  Rainwater is captured from 100% of the roof area and feeds a 6,000-gallon cistern for future use interior (once the code catches up and allows filtered rainwater at the tap) and is currently used within the horse stables.  Interior water use is reduced through low-flow fixtures and dual-flush toilets fed with greywater.

Josh Wynne has a great history of producing sustainable homes, previously designing and constructing the former highest scoring LEED home, Codding Cottage.  However, it is not about scoring LEED points, Josh stated, but about setting strong environmental goals and delivering a quality product.  ‘Price Up’ next for Josh Wynne Construction is a new construction home with a -50 HERS Index — stay tuned for updates.
It should be noted that The Power Haus also scored the highest rating possible through NAHB Green (Emerald) and Florida Green Building Coalition (Platinum), in addition to LEED Platinum certification.
Photo Credit:  Matt McCourney.

You have read this article Architecture / Green Energy / Green House with the title Green House. You can bookmark this page URL https://emill-emil.blogspot.com/2012/03/the-power-haus-22-hers-index-home.html. Thanks!