Comments on: CORNELL ZERO-ENERGY SOLAR DECATHLON HOME http://www.inhabitat.com/2007/10/11/solar-decathlon-house-spawns-zero-energy-firm/ Future-forward design for the world you inhabit Wed, 25 Nov 2009 20:55:06 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=abc hourly 1 By: andy Brokmeyerhttp://www.inhabitat.com/2007/10/11/solar-decathlon-house-spawns-zero-energy-firm/comment-page-1/#comment-56229 andy Brokmeyer Mon, 15 Oct 2007 01:32:32 +0000 http://www.inhabitat.com/2007/10/11/solar-decathlon-house-spawns-zero-energy-firm/#comment-56229 I love it! Where can I buy plans for this or similiar zero energy homes? I love it!
Where can I buy plans for this or similiar zero energy homes?

]]> By: db burnshttp://www.inhabitat.com/2007/10/11/solar-decathlon-house-spawns-zero-energy-firm/comment-page-1/#comment-56010 db burns Fri, 12 Oct 2007 16:42:34 +0000 http://www.inhabitat.com/2007/10/11/solar-decathlon-house-spawns-zero-energy-firm/#comment-56010 I've always said, s strawbale home of the same size, with the same acoutrements would be slightly under $100k, and ever more efficient, using more sustainable and organic materials. Prefabs are a neat novelty for the younger design-inspired, but for true effeciency vs cost (effeciency of $), good old strawbale always beats them hands down. You can even build them yourselves, with very little working knowledge, unlike prefabs that have to be built far away in an ineffecient factory by a team, and then ineffeciently trucked to your awaiting foundation. Your strawbale home would already be built by the time that truck arrived...Why isn't their a strawbale competition instead? I’ve always said, s strawbale home of the same size, with the same acoutrements would be slightly under $100k, and ever more efficient, using more sustainable and organic materials. Prefabs are a neat novelty for the younger design-inspired, but for true effeciency vs cost (effeciency of $), good old strawbale always beats them hands down. You can even build them yourselves, with very little working knowledge, unlike prefabs that have to be built far away in an ineffecient factory by a team, and then ineffeciently trucked to your awaiting foundation. Your strawbale home would already be built by the time that truck arrived…

Why isn’t their a strawbale competition instead?

]]> By: djfredhttp://www.inhabitat.com/2007/10/11/solar-decathlon-house-spawns-zero-energy-firm/comment-page-1/#comment-55923 djfred Thu, 11 Oct 2007 21:23:42 +0000 http://www.inhabitat.com/2007/10/11/solar-decathlon-house-spawns-zero-energy-firm/#comment-55923 Aesthetics are of course in the eye of the beholder but my taste is impeccable and for the most part I like this a lot just the way it is. It's not as breathtakingly gorgeous as the Marmol Radziner Desert House or the Living Homes design, but they're not designed to be as self-sustaining and I don't believe that either one of them has been con structed for under 750K. I've yet to see a prefab design that I wouldn't want to change slightly and I think this would look better with more glass up front but that would detract from the energy efficiency. The wood exterior is nice, the proprtions aren't bad the wrap around planter is a nice touch and everythings to a purpose. I definitely prefer this design to the Sustain MiniHome, based on aesthetics. I'm not really sure why. Bottom line, if it came in under 200K, I'd strongly consider it and if they could keep it around 150K, I'd be the first one to write them a check. Aesthetics are of course in the eye of the beholder but my taste is impeccable and for the most part I like this a lot just the way it is. It’s not as breathtakingly gorgeous as the Marmol Radziner Desert House or the Living Homes design, but they’re not designed to be as self-sustaining and I don’t believe that either one of them has been con
structed for under 750K.
I’ve yet to see a prefab design that I wouldn’t want to change slightly and I think this would look better with more glass up front but that would detract from the energy efficiency. The wood exterior is nice, the proprtions aren’t bad the wrap around planter is a nice touch and everythings to a purpose. I definitely prefer this design to the Sustain MiniHome, based on aesthetics. I’m not really sure why. Bottom line, if it came in under 200K, I’d strongly consider it and if they could keep it around 150K, I’d be the first one to write them a check.

]]> By: Adamhttp://www.inhabitat.com/2007/10/11/solar-decathlon-house-spawns-zero-energy-firm/comment-page-1/#comment-55919 Adam Thu, 11 Oct 2007 20:49:39 +0000 http://www.inhabitat.com/2007/10/11/solar-decathlon-house-spawns-zero-energy-firm/#comment-55919 If you follow the links in the article you will see more traditional houses, designed by their new company. Like this one: http://www.zeroenergy.com/individuals/p_urbancraft.html If you follow the links in the article you will see more traditional houses, designed by their new company. Like this one: http://www.zeroenergy.com/individuals/p_urbancraft.html

]]> By: Joycehttp://www.inhabitat.com/2007/10/11/solar-decathlon-house-spawns-zero-energy-firm/comment-page-1/#comment-55903 Joyce Thu, 11 Oct 2007 16:51:46 +0000 http://www.inhabitat.com/2007/10/11/solar-decathlon-house-spawns-zero-energy-firm/#comment-55903 I love the modern design, which seems to be prevalent in the green building realm, but I'm wondering if any concept homes ever look more traditional? I love the modern design, which seems to be prevalent in the green building realm, but I’m wondering if any concept homes ever look more traditional?

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