EcoFactor: Promotes eco-friendly housing.
BrightBuilt Barn is a super-green studio that is a modern-day example of sustainable living brilliantly designed by Kaplan Thompson Architects and Bensonwood, demonstrating a net-zero building. The innovative applications amplify awareness about resourceful energy use, sustainability and modern day eco-friendly construction. The main motto of the construction is to generate more electricity over the course of a year compared with its consumption level, whereas the energy indicator on the front of the facade will display the current levels of energy use and consumption.
The 700-square-foot design has two open studios on both ends and an office in between with movable partition walls, which can also serve as a one-bedroom house. Various solar and environment friendly systems will be used to enhance the effectiveness of the constructions (solar panels on the roof, LED lights) which makes the house highly reliant on renewable energy. This mid-coast Maine building requires no furnace and the R-40 shrouds floors, wall and ceiling. Attention given to fine detailing by keeping the ecology in mind might just help the house earn the house a LEED Platinum rating from the U.S. Green Building Council.
The Dark Side:
The resilient elements enhance the benefits of the design. A solar hydronic system is the primary heat source, whereas the air handling heat pump is the backup. Thus, the house smartly covers the need of a sustainable heat source in spite of being located in a cold area, making it a a nifty concept with zero discernible flaws!
Via: Jetsongreen
