Precedent Analysis arc 572 UT Solar Decathlon 2009

Precedent Analysis arc 572 UT Solar Decathlon 2009 Lumen|Essence Team Montreal | 2007 Lumen|Essence Team Montreal consisted of 40 members (15 women + 25 men) from three Montreal universities: Mc. Gill University; École de technologie supérieure; and the Université de Montréal. Team Montreal’s mission for this competition was to produce a house in which the principal components are optimally balanced and highly energy-efficient. The project follows an architectural program in order to promote eco-efficient choices, preserve non-renewable natural resources and recycle residual materials. The vision of an ecologically viable and sound construction guides Team Montreal in all their structural, architectural, and technological decisions. Team Montreal followed nine guidelines in the design and execution of Lumen|Essence. ARCHITECTURE I INTERIOR I TECHNOLOGY I SOCIETY architecture materials comfort zone getting around engineering appliances energy balance communications lighting hot water market viability

Precedent Analysis arc 572 UT Solar Decathlon 2009 Lumen|Essence Team Montreal | 2007 ARCHITECTURE I INTERIOR I TECHNOLOGY I SOCIETY architecture materials comfort zone getting around engineering appliances energy balance communications lighting hot water market viability Architectural Guidelines: 1. Design an energy-efficient home; 2. 2. Design an eco-efficient home; 3. Apply the integrated design process; 4. Develop an interior that provides maximum comfort; 5. Provide for easy transportation of the house; 6. Create an innovative design; 7. Provide for a design that has low energy requirements and allows integration of materials; 8. Design the various spaces to be adapted to occupants’ lifestyles; 9. Provide for the houses’ integration into an urban setting. 01 3 D Animation 02 Final Model

Precedent Analysis arc 572 UT Solar Decathlon 2009 Lumen|Essence Team Montreal | 2007 ARCHITECTURE I INTERIOR I TECHNOLOGY I SOCIETY architecture materials comfort zone getting around engineering appliances energy balance communications lighting hot water market viability 01 Aerial Plan Design: Lumen|Essence interior design incorporates social spaces-living room and office- with cathedral ceilings and private spaces for the kitchen and dining area as well as for the bedroom with lower 8’ ceilings, located under the green roof. All the while maintaining fluidity between the two realms. The 580 square foot open plan encourages a synergistic organization of working, socializing, and resting in the home. The green South façade wall and North side green roof create a natural cleansing system and allow for rain water to be collected and stored for periods of drought. The single-surface photovoltaic and thermal solar array and yellow-clad mechanical core are bold architectural gestures intended to highlight the importance of integrating solar energy in the world’s quest towards social and environmental sustainability. 02 Zonal Composition

Precedent Analysis arc 572 ARCHITECTURE I INTERIOR I TECHNOLOGY I SOCIETY architecture materials comfort zone getting around engineering appliances energy balance communications lighting hot water market viability UT Solar Decathlon 2009 Lumen|Essence Team Montreal | 2007 01 Transverse Section AA 02 Transverse Section BB Structure: Lumen|Essence has a steel structure that makes it quick and easy for self-builders to assemble and disassemble the house. It offers precision, strength, and architectural flexibility. It (the structure) is recyclable, reusable, and eliminates waste not only in the construction phase but also in case of further renovation or relocation. The design of the home takes advantage of the unique structural properties of steel, the principal structural material, allowing it to span longer distances yielding greater flexibility in design and construction. Spatial constraints such as intermediary columns and bearing walls are eliminated. This offers endless possibilities for an open plan concept, providing occupants with a “large home feel. ” 03 Bone Structure

Precedent Analysis arc 572 UT Solar Decathlon 2009 Lumen|Essence Team Montreal | 2007 01 Longitudinal View ARCHITECTURE I INTERIOR I TECHNOLOGY I SOCIETY architecture materials comfort zone getting around engineering appliances energy balance communications lighting hot water market viability 02 Tectonic Elements 03 Bone Structure Assembly 05 Structural Assembly 04 Structure + Frame Cutaway

Precedent Analysis arc 572 UT Solar Decathlon 2009 Lumen|Essence Team Montreal | 2007 ARCHITECTURE I INTERIOR I TECHNOLOGY I SOCIETY architecture materials comfort zone getting around engineering appliances energy balance communications lighting hot water market viability 01 Living Area Interior Elements: Lumen|Essence is designed in accordance with the following four principles: firmness; commodity; adaptability; and delight. The natural warmth from the Russian birch plywood interior gives a uniform surface to the ceiling plane, extending the spaces far beyond their relatively small confines. The Interconnectivity of elements and overlapping of spaces eliminates the compartmentalization found in many small dwellings. 03 Kitchen (above) + 04 Bedroom (below)

Precedent Analysis arc 572 UT Solar Decathlon 2009 Lumen|Essence Team Montreal | 2007 ARCHITECTURE I INTERIOR I TECHNOLOGY I SOCIETY architecture materials comfort zone getting around engineering appliances energy balance communications lighting hot water market viability 01 Exterior View of Mechanical Core Engineering: Lumen|Essence is designed with body and mind, or structure and automation, at the forefront in an attempt to error proof – “POKA YOKE” – the house for the builders and users. The automation system developed by the team is housed in the yellow “brain”, and communicates with the rest of the home’s components. 02 Mechanical Core

Precedent Analysis arc 572 ARCHITECTURE I INTERIOR I TECHNOLOGY I SOCIETY architecture materials comfort zone getting around engineering appliances energy balance communications lighting hot water market viability UT Solar Decathlon 2009 Lumen|Essence Team Montreal | 2007 01 Communication Center 02 Rigid Insulation + Structure 03 Wall Composition Climate + Communication: Lumen|Essence was designed specifically for Montreal, a city known for its harsh winter climate. A city of climatic extremes. Montreal challenges the capabilities of the autonomous house with its sweltering summers and freezing winters. The interface monitors climatic conditions and adjusts tasks and components as required.

Precedent Analysis arc 572 UT Solar Decathlon 2009 Lumen|Essence Team Montreal | 2007 ARCHITECTURE I INTERIOR I TECHNOLOGY I SOCIETY architecture materials comfort zone getting around engineering appliances energy balance communications lighting hot water market viability 01 Wall Section Insulation: Lumen|Essence is designed with an rigid insulation composed of soy beans and recycled plastic sprayed over the structure before the exterior siding panels are installed, an ideal composition to ensure a complete and continuous thermal blanket. This sandwich keeps the home cool in the summer and warm in the winter as well as preventing moisture permeation and thermal shorts. The use of Low-E, argon gas filled, triple glazed windows minimizes heat exchange between the interior and exterior. Improving the efficacy of the glazing is the automated shading system which ensures efficiency and balance as the heat is kept inside during colder weather. 02 Insulated Panel Installation

Precedent Analysis arc 572 UT Solar Decathlon 2009 Lumen|Essence Team Montreal | 2007 ARCHITECTURE I INTERIOR I TECHNOLOGY I SOCIETY architecture materials comfort zone getting around engineering appliances energy balance communications lighting hot water market viability 01 Living Wall Section 02 Green Roof Assembly Green Roof + Green Wall: 02 Green Wall Assembly Lumen|Essence is designed with a combination of green methods to assist the highly technological elements of the house. The Green wall on the South face assists in collecting and dispersing the intense solar radiation experienced in the summer months. In the winter, the same mass acts to store that same radiation. The Green wall acts in much the same manner, with additional benefit in collecting storm water and allowing it to disperse gradually, rather than quickly discharge and facilitate erosion.

Precedent Analysis arc 572 ARCHITECTURE I INTERIOR I TECHNOLOGY I SOCIETY architecture materials comfort zone getting around engineering appliances energy balance communications lighting hot water market viability UT Solar Decathlon 2009 Lumen|Essence Team Montreal | 2007 Products and materials Cost Materials cost $ 330, 000 Metals (all metals structure included) $ 55, 000 Tools $ 10, 000 Woods, plastics and composites $ 20, 300 Paid labor $ 190, 000 Thermal protection and waterproofing $ 22, 300 Total Cost $ 530, 000 CAN ($515000 USD) Openings (doors and windows) $ 20, 000 Finishes $ 16, 200 Specialty hardware $ 3, 000 Equipment (appliances and audio-visual) $ 9, 800 Furnishings $ 4, 200 Plumbing $ 11, 000 HVAC (heating, ventilation and air-conditioning) $ 44, 700 Electrical (photovoltaic panels, batteries) $ 99, 500 Electrical power generation $ 11, 300 Utilities (wires, control panels) $ 5, 000 Automation $ 3, 500 Exterior improvements (plants and irrigation) $ 5, 700 01 Production Costs 02 Northern View Budget + Feasibility: Lumen|Essence was constructed for a little more than $300, 000 CAN. The affordability of the project was a guiding force behind material composition and interior finishes that were chosen. The steep price tag is a short-term expense when compared with the long-term benefit of energy cost reduction.

Precedent Analysis arc 572 UT Solar Decathlon 2009 Lumen|Essence Team Montreal | 2007 ARCHITECTURE I INTERIOR I TECHNOLOGY I SOCIETY architecture materials comfort zone getting around engineering appliances energy balance communications lighting hot water market viability 01 Tour Route Communication: The tour route through Lumen|Essence skirted along the North face of the building, on to the front porch and through the central corridor of the space. The axial transparent zone coincides with the tour route. The web interface for Team Montreal is also seen. Multiple sections contain vast amounts of information, as well as links to web photo albums which document the entire design, assembly, disassembly, and reassembly process in great detail. 02 Web Interface

Precedent Analysis arc 572 UT Solar Decathlon 2009 Lumen|Essence Team Montreal | 2007 01 Thermal Panel Diagram ARCHITECTURE I INTERIOR I TECHNOLOGY I SOCIETY architecture materials comfort zone getting around engineering appliances energy balance communications lighting hot water market viability 02 PV Diagram Comfort Zone: With the mechanical “brain” at the core, Lumen|Essence adapts to and utilizes its environment to achieve autonomous solar heating and cooling. The above diagrams illustrate how Lumen|Essence captures the solar radiation and converts it into a useful form. The heavily insulated walls, from soybean, helped Team Montreal score well in this category with very consistent measurements. 03 Radiant Heating

Precedent Analysis arc 572 UT Solar Decathlon 2009 Lumen|Essence Team Montreal | 2007 01 Compact Washer/Dryer ARCHITECTURE I INTERIOR I TECHNOLOGY I SOCIETY architecture materials comfort zone getting around engineering appliances energy balance communications lighting hot water market viability 02 Meal Requirement 03 Kitchen Appliances: With the requirements of the competition, Lumen|Essence uses the “brain” to determine the peak usage hours and divert required tasks to avoid those times. The automation system can either alert the users as to the optimal time to complete the task, or if desired, execute the basic daily tasks like washing, drying, and cooking. Bath time is not currently automated. The Diva 12 amp cooking surface provides low amp usage and an additional safety measure, since the heat is generated when metal is placed on the surface. The plumbing fixtures are also eco-friendly, as exhibited in the low flow shower head and dual flush toilet. Blue is Green! 04 Computer Workspace 05 Bath Time

Precedent Analysis arc 572 UT Solar Decathlon 2009 Lumen|Essence Team Montreal | 2007 01 Cistern Hot Water: Lumen|Essence has a unique system for heating and storing water. Runoff from the sloped South face is collected in a cistern, and pumped through a set of solar heating panels (right). The water, once heated, can be sent through the radiant floor tubing throughout the floorboards or diverted to the individual fixtures during the warmer months. ARCHITECTURE I INTERIOR I TECHNOLOGY I SOCIETY architecture materials comfort zone getting around engineering appliances energy balance communications lighting hot water market viability 02 Solar Heating Panel

Precedent Analysis arc 572 ARCHITECTURE I INTERIOR I TECHNOLOGY I SOCIETY architecture materials comfort zone getting around engineering appliances energy balance communications lighting hot water market viability UT Solar Decathlon 2009 Lumen|Essence Team Montreal | 2007 01 Eco. Tect Analysis 02 Daylighting Strategies 03 Lighting Diagram Lighting: Lumen|Essence has utilized its adverse climatic properties to their fullest capabilities. The interior finishes are light to maximize luminosity. The placement of ambient light fixtures along the perimeter allows the fluorescent light to travel greater distances across the space. Furthermore, the skylights and transparent spine maximize day lighting strategies. 04 Lighting Diagram

Precedent Analysis arc 572 UT Solar Decathlon 2009 Lumen|Essence Team Montreal | 2007 01 LED-lit Bathroom ARCHITECTURE I INTERIOR I TECHNOLOGY I SOCIETY architecture materials comfort zone getting around engineering appliances energy balance communications lighting hot water market viability 02 Point-Source + Ambient Lighting 03 Southern Exposure in Living Areas

Precedent Analysis arc 572 ARCHITECTURE I INTERIOR I TECHNOLOGY I SOCIETY architecture materials comfort zone getting around engineering appliances energy balance communications lighting hot water market viability UT Solar Decathlon 2009 Lumen|Essence Team Montreal | 2007 02 DC Battery Bank 03 Power Generation + Consumption 01 PV Cleaning Energy Balance: Lumen|Essence generates electricity by forty 205 W Sanyo PV solar panels. The system can generate 8. 2 k. W, adequate for the two occupants. The 30˚ slope to the roof, optimal for Montreal’s climate, allows the sun’s rays to enter perpendicularly to the PV cells. The slope is also a common slope, which eases construction cost and labor unfamiliarity. The home, as a result of the dust and rain, did poorly in this area of the competition and was not able to generate enough power for the length of the 03 Roof Section with PV Panels competition.

Precedent Analysis arc 572 ARCHITECTURE I INTERIOR I TECHNOLOGY I SOCIETY architecture materials comfort zone getting around engineering appliances energy balance communications lighting hot water market viability UT Solar Decathlon 2009 Lumen|Essence Team Montreal | 2007 01 Slow Ride 02 Slow Ride : Part Deux Getting Around: Lumen|Essence did not generate enough energy to power the home, so electricity had to be “purchased” to power the car. Although the team scored poorly in the Energy Balance section, the team covered significant mileage with the car, earning them a respectable 7 th place in this category.