USGBC Competition Entry: 1st Place in NYC

I recently participated in the USGBC's 2010 Natural Talent Design Competition to design an affordable LEED Platinum home in New Orleans.  Last week, we received first place within the Urban Green Council (the New York City chapter of the U.S. Green Building Council).  I teamed up with mechanical engineer and sustainability expert, Charlie Marino, LEED® AP.  Our entry moves on to compete amongst national finalists to potentially be one of the four entries that will be built in the Broadmoor Neighborhood of New Orleans.  The winners will be announced at Greenbuild 2010 in Chicago.  The homes will then be built and their performance monitored over the year.  The following year, at Greenbuild 2011, a grand prize will be given considering the home's actual performance.  We're hoping to be one of the entries selected to be built!  Here are images and more information about our entry.

The competition was hosted on the Open Architecture Network website.  Our entry is here.  The Urban Green Council actually selected 2 first place winners that will both move on to compete nationally.  The co-first place entry is available here.  We had a great time at the awards ceremony; pictures from the event are online here.

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Criteria for Judging

• Address the context of the Broadmoor neighborhood of New Orleans
• Flood resistant - 7'-0" floor height
• Full ADA accessibility for elderly and/or disabled owner
• Hurricane resistant w/ window protection
• LEED for Homes - Platinum Rated
• No more than $100,000

 Project Summary

An affordable home for elderly and/or disabled individuals should aspire to improve the lives of its occupants and those living in its neighboring community. This project focuses resources on three essential values in attempt to do just that.

• Address the occupant’s needs. This home focuses on providing a comfortable environment for an elderly and/or disabled occupant. Beyond the prerequisite ADA requirements, the home strives to provide a clear layout that is easy for any individual to flow within daily. The home is intended to be low-maintenance and easy to operate. The physical distinctions typical of most elderly users were considered in the design of the building systems. Considerations incorporated include, dehumidification to avoid mold growth and the desire for slightly warmer temperatures due to elderly occupants’ reduced metabolic rate. 
• Appreciate local characteristics. From the overall New Orleans climate to the neighborhood context specific to Broadmoor, this home responds to its location. The image of the building is an attempt to provide a simple and modern variation of the classic Broadmoor home. Beyond the image, the building's performance and technical detailing make the most of local resources. 
• Optimize Sustainability. This home seeks optimal sustainable solutions that consider the user, site and budget collectively. The architecture and structural systems make the most of conventional construction techniques combined with modern sustainable materials and technology to result in a durable, long lasting home. The building systems

LEED® for Homes Platinum Rating

• Innovation in Design Process – The team’s multi-disciplinary background helped ensure an integrated approach was taken. Durability management and sophisticated occupant education have also been incorporated.
• Location & Linkages – The Broadmoor site established points pursued.
• Sustainable sites – Methods were established to reduce stormwater runoff by integrating a smart selection of plants and pervious concrete paving.
• Water Efficiency – A rainwater collection system is integrated to reduce irrigation requirements. Low-flow plumbing fixtures are also specified.
• Energy & Atmosphere – Water heating and HVAC systems with high efficiency ratings were specified. Appliances are Energy Star rated. Equipment is also “right-sized” to ensure energy waste associated with over-sized equipment is avoided.
• Materials & Resources – Building materials and construction methods specified reduce construction costs while utilizing sustainable products where available.
• Indoor Environmental Quality – Ventilation with high efficiency filters and exhaust systems are integrated based on HVAC load calculations for each room.
• Awareness & Education – Occupants will have a home area network, informing them about energy consumption associated with various devices throughout the home, Information will also be provided to the public to generate awareness.

Optimizing Cost
To optimize cost, the project utilizes cost-effective construction in some areas, while selecting a few valuable components to pay premiums to incorporate. In summary, here are a few items in each category:

• Components for reduced initial cost
  • Premanufactured roof trusses
  • Conventional wood framing
  • Pile construction with exposed, permeable space under home
• Components worth extra cost
  • Slender steel columns on south
  • Efficient mechanical systems
  • High quality windows
  • Planter structures at entry

Space Heating, Ventilation, & Air Conditioning 

• Careful consideration was taken to choose the most appropriate HVAC system type: PTAC units are a poor choice in humid climates; AC units with a heat element for heating are inefficient. A heat pump system was selected since heating requirements are minimal in New Orleans, and are recommended by the DOE’s Building America best practice guidelines for the hot-humid climates.
• Outdoor heat pump is located on the back porch to minimize damage in case of a flood, and the air handling unit is floor mounted for easy filter cleaning.
• For an potential elderly occupant, dehumidification is a necessity. Besides being categorized as a comfort concept, a dehumidifier also helps provide a healthier living environment in the New Orleans climate. The project incorporates the most energy efficient residential dehumidifying concept available. Dehumidification can present energy waste issues associated with re-heating air, especially when elderly occupants typically prefer air at 78°F. The chosen dehumidification system reduces the energy consumption by 50% when compared to a typical system. Wall cavity return air systems were avoided to reduce dust. Acoustical considerations were also evaluated, which led to 1” acoustic lining in all ductwork, acoustic panels, and smart locations for MEP equipment to reduce noise. Equipment requiring preventative maintenance is also located in accessible areas.
• The HVAC and domestic hot water equipment is located 7’-0” above the ground to ensure minimal damage during a potential flood.

Home Area Network (HAN) Energy Management
Local utility provider, Entergy New Orleans, has approved a smart meter pilot program for affordable housing. The smart meter will wirelessly communicate the current utility price to the in-home monitor to maximize financial savings and help incentivize energy efficiency. The In-Home Monitor helps occupants understand the energy consumption in their home through wireless connection to the utility smart meter and these devices located throughout the home: Smart Electrical Outlet, Smart Thermostat

Incentives + Rebates
Although the design team did not account for financial incentives as part of our budget, the Owner(s) can pursue the following as part of their occupant education program:
• Federal rebate - $1,000 for energy efficient Heat Pump
• Entergy New Orleans Energy Efficient New Homes Program - 30% Above IEEC $375
• The DOE recently launched a High Efficiency Windows Volume Purchase Program. Even higher efficiency windows will be substituted when retail purchase is available.

Additional Certification Targeted
In addition to LEED® for Homes this design reviewed the following systems to maximize energy saving strategies and sustainable features. The depicted design is anticipated to achieve these additional certifications.
• DOE’s Building America’s Builders’ Challenge
• Energy Star’s Home Prescriptive Path