Middlebury College
Self-Reliance
Self-Reliance is a two-bedroom, ultra-efficient, 990-ft2 house designed for a family of four. It features a green wall for growing plants, open family living space, and healthy building materials. Its traditional gable, or peaked roof, is a familiar form that holds a 7.2-kW photovoltaic array.
Design Philosophy
By incorporating the best features of the New England farmhouse, Middlebury College offers an environmentally responsible house that can compete in the current market. Energy-monitoring software, high R-value insulation, and triple-paned windows make the traditional form more energy-efficient, and natural materials have minimal environmental impact.
Features
- A gable roof sheds snow and rain.
- A green wall and outdoor planters provide space for growing produce year-round.
- The kitchen counter peninsula encourages a communal cooking experience.
Technologies
- The 30-panel solar array can produce 7,930 kWh annually.
- An air-to-air heat exchanger circulates air and feeds the green wall with condensed moisture.
- Triple-paned windows with cork-insulated frames have an R-value of 7 and a solar heat gain coefficient of 0.53, which allows them to provide net heat gain over the course of a year.
- Stack effect ventilation pulls in cooler air toward the ground and vents out warmer air from the skylights.
Market Strategy
Designed for a New England family of four, Self-Reliance fosters community. The adjacent kitchen, dining, and living spaces are designed to encourage the family to make dinner, do homework, and play a game together. The efficient use of space reduces the demand for energy and materials.
What's Next
Self-Reliance will settle on the Middlebury College campus for permanent use as a student residence. Interested students will apply to live in the house in groups of four each semester. During their stay, they will engage in community outreach projects related to the mission of the house.
