Author(s)

M. Garrison, W. Lang, P. Liedl, A. Pyrek

Abstract

The University of Texas at Austin and the Technical University of Munich 2015 Solar Decathlon house, is called NexusHaus because it combines UT Austin and TUM students in a modular green building that demonstrates transformative technologies in Zero Net Energy, Positive Net Water and Carbon Neutrality. The NexusHaus building configuration consists of two modular rectangular structures with layers and components attached that interact with the environment to provide a resource-efficient and affordable home. The thin width of each module allows for ease of highway transportation and the shape configuration achieves energy and spatial efficiency through indoor/outdoor living, shading, cross ventilation and daylighting. The roof mounted 6kW photovoltaic system provides for the home’s power needs. And the roof canopy collects rainwater to provide for the home’s water needs. The extensive use of wood in the design enables the embodied energy of the home building materials to be more carbon neutral.

Keywords

zero net energy, positive net water, carbon neutral