ZEM House
Zero Emissions Housing Project August 2010 - May 2011
Group Project Completed By: jeff greger | tad osada | carrianne seger | erik swanson | hamish tennent | tony ton
electrical engineering mechanical engineering industrial design business public policy
Setup as a multidisciplinary project, the ZEM house project aimed to study the ways in which 5 different disciplined combined to create a common goal.
Project Goals Design a 100 square foot house Design a sustainable home from manufacturing to end life Create a tiny footprint structure that is commercially viable Net zero emissions Consider the full life span of the home Offer it at a price that people can afford
Average Items
4 Dining room chairs 2 Clocks
1
Desk With
1 Dining room table to suit 4 0.25 Corded Phones
8 Cooking Knives 2 Water Containers
6 Bowls 1 Throw Pillow 1 Drawers
1 Coffee Maker 1.66 Cameras 1 Desk Chair
20 Books 2 Duffel Bags 1 Relaxed Seating Area
16 Sq ft of counter space 1 Laptop Bag 1 Bed - Full
1 Blender 2 Backpacks 12 Eating Utensils
1 Rice Cooker 1 External Harddrive 1 Computer/Laptop
5 Cooking Utensils 18 Tools and Powertools 5 Pots and Pans 1 Bedset 0.5 Bike 6 Plates 2 Pillows 0.75 Cars 1.25 24” TV
1 Comforter 3 Multipoint 1.25 TV Stands
1 Nightstand 3 Houseplants 1 Full Size Fridge
1 Shelf Area 1 Cellphone 1 Small scale printer 1 Dresser 1.25 iPods 4 Bowls
1 TV Entertainment device 0.5 Musical Instruments 1 Desktop lighting 1 Toothbrush 15 Glassware 1 Tube of toothpaste 1 Kettle 1 Floss 1 Toaster 1 Mouthwash 1 Microwave
We started by evaluating our own living
1 Set of toiletries 1 Set of computer speakers 4 Sq ft of bathroom counter 10 DVD’s and CD’s
situations, taking inventories of the objects
4 Towels 1 Alarm clock/radio
we have in our living spaces around us,
1 Sofa 1 Laundry basket
documenting these spaces, and distilling
0.75 Coffee Table 5 Pairs of shoes
them down to things we thought were 12.5 Sq ft of shelving space 1 Oven 3.3 Trash cans 1 Stove necessary.
Living Space Study
Bedroom Misc. Things
1 Single bed and bedset, pillows and comforter 1 High powered phone with music storage with camera
1 Alarm clock radio and mirror 1 Backpack 1 Nightstand 2 Pairs of shoes 1 Laundry basket and trash can 1 Bicycle 1 Dresser
Living Room/Dining Bathroom
1 Laptop with integrated speakers and electronic books 1 Toothbrush and toothpaste combo 1 Printer/Scanner/Copier 1 Sink with integrated storage 1 Single table with storage underneath 1 Towels 1 Desk with drawers and integrated light
1
Set of toiletries
1 Multi purpose chair for dining and desk
Kitchen
3 Eating utensils
2 Bowl 1 Plate
1 Glass 1 Pots 1 Skillet 1 Bench height fridge 1 Oven with single stove element We applied 3 Square feet of bench space 2 Cooking knives 1 Trash can 2 Cooking utensils 1 Kettle 1 Toaster
the SHE method to help us distil
down the items in our living spaces as fitting a full home inside a 100sq/ft structure was going to require a reduction in personal items. This had a reduction by approximately 80%.
Research Phase Extensive research was then undertaken into four main categories:
Products and Concepts For Withing The Home
Living Around The World
Construction Methods
Famous Architects Work
This research culminated in a massive 220 page PDF resource to be sourced and referred to throughout the project.
Multi-task design quickly showed as a key area in which space saving methods could be applied.
Transforming furniture was an interesting aspect that I particularly felt was key to the success of the ZEM house.
Green walls and planted areas offered far too many benefits to be ignored and also gave the desired impression we were going for with the ZEM house of sustainability.
I next undertook a series of initial concept exercises in a small group of four people, this exercise was meant to flush out used quick for anything to do with the home, interior, exterior, or even product for use within the home. This group consisted of: Tony Ton Steve Lan David Bogdal Hamish Tennent
These 50 initial concepts were then sorted in pertinent group to allow us to better understand the groupings and themes we were seeing with the house. The concepts were then sketched out in greater detail within our group.
We then went and did a series of individual concepts for the ZEM house, concentrating on the structure more than products for within the home.
Heavy ideation was undertaken here to explore different ways to rethink the dynamic of the standard home.
Concept 1
Concept 2
After these concepts, we were then again divided into groups where we were given the tasks of creating 3 initial house concepts. The group I was a part of consisted of; Carrianne Seger, Danny Yu, Kenny Kim and myself.
Concept 3
From these three house concepts, we stayed in our groups and began to combine and develop a single concept from the three we had already created.
The exterior structure of the house became an area that I was increasingly interested in and began to focus lot of my time on.
Mock ups showing development of the ZEM house concept.
From this finalised concept point, the six industrial design ‘ZEM Team’ members broke off and began to develop the overall ZEM concept. This ZEM team consisted of: Carrianne Seger Tony Ton Jeff Greger Erik Swanson Tad Osada Hamish Tennent
Group concepting was a key component of pushing the concept forward at this point, as it allowed us to make informed decisions and easily bounce ideas off one another and move towards a house shell that performed everything we wanted from the ZEM house.
A hybrid ZEM concept emerged from the group work and mockups and tests were done to being to understand the structure. Working with engineers and business students allowed us to get real time feedback from many different perspectives
Our midterm design reflected the way in which we wanted people to view the house, and began to detail the interactions that we wanted the user to undertake with the ZEM home. My focus became the exterior structure of the house and all the proponents connected to that.
Our ZEM team midterm design was the beginning of a long process of detailing out our concept, whilst trying to maintain the pure integrity of the themes we set for the design, which were: Explore, Discovery, retreat, Enjoy, Relax, Transition.
We began to design our individual sections of the house and I concentrated on the overall shape and feel of the exterior structure, the green planters and roof and the social interaction with the structure.
Working heavily with the engineers, a bit part of my task was allowing them the storage and providing adequate areas for the solar panels and all the equipment attached to them. The rear housings also became areas to store the heating and cooling systems
Providing access to all the planted areas allowed s to empower the end user with spaces to grow food to sustain themselves on, these plants also worked with out passive solar design.
More in depth mock-ups and models were used to better understand the space we were designing in 3D.
These latter stages of the design process required some further research by the entire group so we could begin to understand construction methods better.
In order to minimise power usage and utilise the sun, we designed the ZEM house to have a slanted front wall, creating a natural awning so the sun entered the house during the winter when the suer wants warmth and is blocked during the summer, when keeping the house coo is a priority. Using vegetation on the north side of the house meant that through the transpiration of plants, this side was kept cooler. This cool side of the house means when the user opens opposing windows, cool air is ‘drawn’ though the interior of the structure.
As we began to design the construction of the ZEM house, we decided to use SIPs, or Structurally Insulated Panels, which are factory made and custom cut panels that provide huge gains in insulation, structural integrity and construction time.
Using the Okala method, our SIPs frame design was shown to only have 30% of the environmental impact when compared to a traditional stick frame construction.
The final stages of our first semester design were about bringing the sections of the house back together and reforming our concept that we presented at mid term. Each group member had individually done research and developed their section of the house around the basic shell we had designed earlier. This phase was eased by the fact that we had all had 14 weeks to learn how to communicate effectively and efficiently.
Our final design was truly a reflection of the six designers who worked on it, with every detail thoroughly thought through, down to the finer points of construction.
The living area allowed a flexibility of space, transitioning between storage, bed and seating while not compromising on either of the three tasks.
The kitchen was at the core of our concept, with the moving counter from inside to outside to allow cooking from either side of the wall. This transition allowed the flexibility of interaction and broadened the spectrum for possible socialisation with and around the home.
Our first semester model represented our final design to 1/6th scale, complete with correct wall thicknesses built into the model. We then had to work heavily with the engineers around how we were going to build, test and present the structure over the coming 4 months.
BOM and pricing
From our first semester concept, we began to work out pricing and market viability in order ton convince the engineers and business students that SIPs construction was the way to go forward with the test structure.
SIPs construction total = $18,985.23
Advice Sought We sought advice from people who build a large amount of SIPs homes per year, this allowed us to learn about the best way to minimise waste and design for construction and deconstruction in order to improve sustainability.
Target market We also formally defined our target user as:
- A recent grad/young professional
- Environmentally conscious
- Average spent on rent a year is
$12,000
- The ZEM house is a bridge between
single living and starting a family
We started the new year with the drive of making our ZEM concept real and presenting a viable, cost effective, zero emissions and sustainable home for the future.
House as product not as sculpture Interaction became a key element in out design. The ZEM team decided to design the house from the user’s point of view from the inside out to improve the flow of the interior space.
Understanding and using the factory cut SIPs meant we could simplify construction of the house, making it easy, quick and clean to build. The usage of these SIPs panels drastically cuts down construction site waste and working with professionals from the bay area, California, allowed us to learn valuable lessons for our design.
Proof of concept test structure Working with a 12 person engineering team consisting of mechanical and electrical engineers required building a test structure to allow for the design to be tested.
Proof of concept test structure With the designers passive solar design, the mechanical engineers’ heating/cooling system and the electrical engineers’ solar panel and electrical feedback devices the test structure gave us a way of testing all of these in a real setting.
Proof of concept test structure Built from stick frame construction for ease and cost reasons, the test structure gave us a feel of how our final design looks and feels. The angled walls also gave the advantage of making the user feel like they are in a much bigger space than they are in and the high ceilings reinforce this fact.
Proof of concept test structure With donation from local companies such as Akeena solar, and Schnieder electrical, we were able to get fully functioning solar panels, batteries, inverters and all the other components to make our test structure as real as possible.
Proof of concept test structure The process of planning and building a design that can be built not only the once, but in mass production levels made us realise and ground our design a lot more that were used to as design students.
Final Developments The ZEM house went through one final stage of developments to touch up the final details around window sizes, battery sizes and planning for the specific plants to be used in the house.
Final Developments With the windows and wall dimensions finalised, scale drawings and cad information was sent to the SIPs manufacturers to recieve accurate quotes and advice on how to minimise waste during the manufacturing process.
Architectural Model Our final design was showcased in a 1/6th scale architectural model that was built using similar materials and with the same panel shape as our full scale design.
Architectural Model Shown in the sustainability exhibit alongside projects from leading companies such as Frog design and IDEO, our model showed our vision on a zero emissions 100 square foot house.
wider market application
single young professionals
remote locations relief funds smurfs
hippies
berkeley people
recent college grads
developers
transitional homes
off the grid situations santa cruzers
poor hipsters
japan bigfoot impersonator
anyone looking to live a simpler life
unibomber
Floorplan
Breakdown of final ZEM concept
37.5째 Roof angle
Optimise roof angle for solar efficiency and slanted front wall to create a natural overhang.
20째 Front wall
Transpiring plants and key window placement means that opening a window on the south side (front) and a window on the north side (rear) will quickly and easily cool the interior down.
The exterior planes were designed in the houses philosophy of being multipurpose. The sheds offer places for the solar and heating equipment, they also are planted for their transpiring effect and placed at heights to create a social interaction point.
Surrounding the north side of the house gives high thermal insulation to the home on the coldest side, as well as providing transpiration and a roof garden for growing vegetables and foods to eat.
Using a soilless medium allowed us to cut down the weight of the vegetation and improve the nutritional sustenance for the plants. It also means less watering needs to be done as the medium holds water for longer.
Creating an interior space that was 100 square feet but provided all the benefits of a regular home was the biggest challenge in this project. Using an open floor plan and multipurpose areas, we created a home that allowed the user to relax, entertain, cook, socialise, clean and work. Using a philosophy that NASA pioneered in space shuttles, we made sure every area of the home was necessary and gave the user 3 points of interest.
Bathroom area and storage • Shower disappears when not needed through the use of double folding doors • Utilizes angled wall for extra storage • Storage area follows architectural lines to accentuate feel of space • Composting toilet reduces water waste • Glass shower door eliminates the need for a window
Toilet system
+
Using a self powering composting toilet, no water or electricity is consumed during usage, greatly reducing the affect the bathroom area has on the rest of the home.
Over-bed storage allows for long term storing of items that aren’t commonly used in the users day to day life. Kitchen-like drop down cup boards provide easy and ergonomic access to these items.
Bed area • Bed area provides a place for sleep, storage, and socialization • Moving surfaces allow expansion and more uses • Easy access short term and long term storage • Designed around the user’s routine
Indoor/Outdoor Kitchen • Enforce the idea of utilizing space - both indoor and outdoor • Adapt to the user’s needs • Multi-purpose sink for both kitchen and bathroom • Window creates cross breezes to utilize passive solar
Indoor/Outdoor Kitchen 1. cook top slides on rails 2. cook top passes through wall to the outside 3. locks in place outdoor allowing outdoor cooking
Front door • Creates a natural awning • Creates familiarity • Distinct, it stands out to make the entry intuitive • Feels welcoming
Using recycled wood siding and sustainable wood stains, we created an attractive final proposal that reflects our design intentions.
Using our passive solar design, we selected a heavy coloured tile that captures heat and looks attractive.
Light colours for the walls made the user feel like the shape of the home was overbearing and transformed it into an expansive space.
The characteristics of small homes in conjunction with the easy nature of the ZEM concept means that the model for our home can be expanded into larger communities and ‘pockets’ of ZEM houses..
With shrinking plots of land becoming the standard in urban areas, a small 100 sq/ft home could easily be introduced into existing neighbourhoods and communities.
More information can be found at: http://zemhouse.sjsu.edu Contact: ht@hamishtennent.com