In another example of collaborative ingenuity, the wall assembly also includes Polyguard’s non-chemical TERM system that provides protection from moisture, water, and energy leaks as well as pests such as termites.
“Together, this team pushed the envelope of building science to literally go where no one has gone before in the application of integrated building science,” says David Rosebery, Owens Corning business marketing leader for residential insulation. “What we’ve been able to prove is that building sustainable, code-compliant, comfort-driven homes can be achievable and affordable for builders while delivering a new standard of comfort and performance for the homeowner.”
GREEN FEATURES
Without a doubt, the home of the future will be technology based, and the ProjeKt house demonstrates how manufacturer collaboration will drive it forward. A Savant Pro smart home system combines climate, lighting, entertainment, and security functions in a single interface with a voice-activated remote control. In addition, Schneider Electric will demonstrate a next-generation energy management system that can pinpoint energy use down to the individual circuit breaker and alert the homeowner when irregular usage occurs. Lutron’s wireless system allows homeowners to program lights and shades to turn on or off at a set time every day, and it will automatically adjust as the seasons change.
Water conservation is a crucial component of the home, met by state-of-the-art products such as Kohler low-flow faucets and showerheads and dual-flush toilets, Rain Bird weather-based irrigation, and a device that shows residents how much water they’re using every day. A KitchenAid dishwasher recycles water from the final rinse cycle and saves it for the next load’s pre-rinse, using 33% less water than a traditional unit. If built on site, the home also would be equipped with graywater recycling and rainwater management features, Atalla adds.
A focus on homeowner health is met by Cradle to Cradle–certified products and materials, air-quality sensors, Shaw Floors waterproof carpeting, lighting that enhances residents’ Circadian rhythms, and zero-VOC Sherwin-Williams paint with formaldehyde-reducing properties. Sherwin-Williams’ Paint Shield, a coating that the manufacturer says kills 99.9% of common bacteria within two hours on a painted surface, will also be on display.
A Carrier air purifier will kill airborne pathogens such as bacteria, viruses, and mold, and the company’s energy-recovery ventilator will maintain a blend of fresh outdoor air and conditioned indoor air.
The home’s interplay of products and materials will help it weather whatever Mother Nature might have in store for years to come, adds Atalla. “We’re layering two or more systems in the same assembly to create something that’s more resilient and durable, which may be needed as the climate changes,” he says.
While some might question the use of redundant materials and overlapping systems, the project team wanted to provide abundant efficiency, durability, and comfort for future industry pros to build on. “What we’re doing today might be adding layers of cost that someone could think is unnecessary, but in the future when industry experts collaborate together across companies, they’ll be able to find better economies of scale,” Atalla explains. “Our team for this house doesn’t have all the answers, in fact, this home is just the beginning of thinking about new ways of building.”
