Parsons The New School for Design and Stevens Institute of Technology
Empowerhouse
Empowerhouse was designed in partnership with Habitat for Humanity of Washington, D.C., and the D.C. Department of Housing and Community Development. The house minimizes energy demand by optimizing the building envelope, using a highly efficient micro-mechanical system, and incorporating strategic lighting and daylighting.
Design Philosophy
Empowerhouse embodies Habitat for Humanity's vision that all people deserve safe, comfortable, affordable homes. The compact 1,000-ft2 (93-m2) one-bedroom structure showcases the whole-life approach while being sensitive to the existing urban fabric.
Features
- A public north at the street front that invites residents and neighbors to congregate.
- A private porch that includes a built-in storage unit with composting and a cooking surface.
- A Light Loft that provides separation from the main household area while allowing light to reach the space below.
- A design that will consume up to 90% less energy for heating and cooling than a typical home in Washington, D.C.
Technologies
- Linear fluorescent and LED lights incorporate wireless switches and occupancy/daylight sensors.
- The highly efficient energy recovery ventilation system keeps the interior temperature stable.
- Green roof modules integrated into the electric photovoltaic system modulate temperature extremes.
Market Strategy
Empowerhouse is designed to accommodate the future lifestyle goals of a Habitat for Humanity family (i.e., adult plus one child) with an annual income of about $50,000. The team is working with Habitat for Humanity to select the family that will live in the house after the competition.
What's Next
Following the Solar Decathlon, Empowerhouse will become a home for a family in the Greater Deanwood neighborhood, east of the Anacostia River in Washington, D.C. Empowerhouse will serve as an educational tool to inspire community members to incorporate affordable green practices into their everyday lives.
