The University of Tennessee Computer-Animated Walkthrough (Text Version)
This is the text version of the University of Tennessee's U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon 2011 computer-animated walkthrough.
[Camera pans interior of house. Low music plays in the background.]
Voiceover: The Living Light house is a zero-energy dwelling intended to be a retreat from the visual clutter of the Information Age while integrating technology seamlessly into the design.
[The camera moves across the main room to the kitchen, and the blinds open.]
Voiceover: The greatest luxuries of the Living Light house are volume and light. The floor plan frames an open living space between two cores of public and private program. The north and south facades provide excellent natural lighting and include operable dual-layer windows with motorized sun shading blinds mounted between the panels.
[The camera arrives at the kitchen, and the kitchen cabinets animate.]
Voiceover: The public core contains kitchen appliances, and its associated casework can be concealed entirely to be hidden from view. The exterior table can be moved indoors to accommodate additional people.
[The camera moves across the main room to the bed. The bed animates, and the closet opens and closes.]
Voiceover: The open living space provides adaptable furniture, which can accommodate a variety of household activities. The private core contains bedroom and bathroom elements. When the Zoom Room bed is in use, the adjacent entertainment center acts as a footboard. When the bed is stored, the entertainment center can be folded out to become a desk. In general, this allows each space to transform function.
[The camera moves to the bathroom and then to the deck.]
Voiceover: The exterior deck spaces of the Living Light house are designed to create strong connection with the surrounding natural landscape as well as providing functional outdoor living space for residents. The deck modules are adapted to a specific function such as planted green space or occupied floor space. Increased functionality is achieved with exterior casework that functions as sitting or storage space.
[The camera moves off the deck and views the house. Camera moves back to deck.]
Voiceover: Leaving a small footprint is a primary goal in the design of the Living Light house. The house sits lightly upon the ground in order to simplify construction. To reduce environmental impact, local wood is used extensively as an exterior and interior finish. The house itself is a prefabricated module that can simply be transported to the site via trailer. This again reduces energy consumption by eliminating reconstruction of the structure at the site. As seasons change, the house adapts by adjusting the use of all mechanical systems as well as taking advantage of natural ventilation. A rooftop array provides energy and sun shading for the house. Shading the entire house, the tubular structure of the array has an integrated photovoltaic system for absorbing solar energy. As the array filters light, the white roof of the house reflects light back in to the array for additional energy. Indoor thermal comfort is preserved by well-insulated building elements. The dual layer windows create a thermal barrier providing additional insulation; however, they also provide cross-ventilation when the interior layer is opened. When the house requires additional heating, two miniature ductless heating units are employed.
[The camera views planted deck space and then re-enters the house. The camera looks into the mechanical/laundry room.]
Voiceover: In general, all building systems were logically integrated, organized, and designed to be easily accessible. In accordance with this approach, the mechanical systems and laundry equipment were placed within the public core simplifying daily life for residents.
[The camera moves into the main room. The furniture changes with function.]
Voiceover: The Living Light house is designed to be functional to adapt to nature and its occupants, integrated to create a more simplified living environment, and most importantly, energy-efficient to reduce dependability upon depleting resources.
[The sun adjusts quickly to night, and the bed comes out and blinds close.]
Voiceover: The Living Light house represents architectural and engineering inspiration for not only the future home but, most importantly, the future of the built environment.
