Zero House by Scott Specht
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto 
on 11. 1.07
Vaporware prefabs that never get past the rendering stage are as common as rotting FEMA specials these days, and don't get the exposure they used to when modern prefab was finding its legs a couple of years ago. Then there are some that are so compelling that we just have to show them, such as Scott Specht's 650 square foot Zero House. It generates its own electrical power from that dramatic canopy roof; collects its own water for a rooftop 2700 gallon cistern, and processes its own waste in a composting system at the lowest level.
Walls are walk-in cooler efficient at R-58 and windows are triple glazed. Lighting is LED, integrated into the wall and ceiling panels.
According to the Texas Society of Architects:
ZeroHouse can be used in remote or ecologically sensitive locations. It can be installed in places unsuitable for standard construction, including in water up to 10-feet deep or on slopes of up to 35 degrees. ZeroHouse employs a helical-anchor foundation system that touches the ground at only four points and disturbs the ground to a minimal degree. The tubular steel frame can withstand winds of up to 140 mph, and the living modules feature flexible attachment points to the frame to allow for deflection and movement without damage.
The design and engineering work on the project was funded by a venture capital group with the intent of creating a start-up company to produce and market zeroHouse. Initial studies indicate that zeroHouse will sell for approximately $350,000."
Which, at $ 538 per square foot will be immediately attacked as far too expensive, which it is not, given the small size, the sophistication of the systems, and the quality of the materials used. ::Zero House
also see ::Materialicious , via ::NOTCOT
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AWefully big tv in there....no doubt a power hog!!
Why are green houses like this always so weird looking? Plus it doesn't seem to have a nice 'flow' for living, its totally compartmentalized. Not to mention overpriced! 650 square feet is borderline cramped for even 1 person to live, don't even think about 2 people. No matter how environmental, its initial price and peculiar design will turn (US) buyers off (maybe Europeans will dig it).
I was just thinking that I'm glad I don't watch tv because that spot would be great for more books.
It's good for a childless couple, but I'd like to see something equally modern and efficient designed with a family in mind.
i think the design is beautiful. if i were single and rich, i would love to live there. the main issue is, though, i'd have to be rich.
why does green design have to be SOOOOO expensive?
Wow. Now that's design.
I share concerns about the 'flow' of the home as well and would probably have misgivings after living in it for a while, but from a (distant) future homebuyer's perspective to be honest I think this thing is seriously cool. I love how there is a mini deck on top of the living room and think the verticality of it is really interesting. However, like it or not it's still too expensive. Small, efficient living should cost less to appeal to enough people to actually make it a success, and while I'm sure the quality partially makes up for it, efficient green housing needs a solution that isn't putting people into lifelong debt.
said it more than once here, and I will say it again: strawbale will run 1/3 of this price for the same size and sophistication. And is sustainable, earth-friendly, green, and a much "warmer" aesthetic, rather than the "cold" and lonely modern IKEA designs of modern prefabs.
Where are the strawbale prefabs? Shouldn't be too difficult to do, and for a much larger possible profit margin do to readily available straw bales... can't someone design one at least like you said vaporware, so that we can dream...?
LA: we have shown strawbale prefab.
Mentioning "rotting FEMA" when discussing this house should have raised your awareness.
Look at that huge overhang. Forget the "designed for 140 MPH winds" stuff. You ever been in a big blow? Wind under this sail is going to scare you to death. (And since hurricanes can exceed 140 MPH.....)
Good idea to make prefabs that can be dropped into place rather than disposable trailers. Very good idea to make them energy efficient/self-sufficient.
Make them:
1) Reasonable for the local environment. You live in the South and don't have aircon? You need a nice shaded screened porch.
2) Expandable. Drop in a core that contains decent sized kitchen and bath. Enough 'other' room for people to crowd together in the short term. An attachable 'canvas room' could add extra short term living/sleeping room for little money.
Design additional/larger living and sleeping space that can be bolted on as money becomes available.
3) Make one version for the "fashion conscious" people who drool over weird furniture and ugly shoes made from recycled shrimp shells/whatever.
Make a "real life" version for people who need good quality shelter at a reasonable price.
Yet another stylish green prefab home with zero market research behind it.
It needs to be either 3 times the size or 1/3 the price.
I don't sea beauty, just two sea-containers on top of each other.
Still not as sustainable as low tech apartment in the big city.
I object to the idea of plopping these things down in the middle of the pristine wilderness. Aren't we going to learn anything from the recent fires? Coincidently they don't show any roads leading up to this place, probably becuase thats where they whole sustainable aspect falls apart.
I would be excited to see some sustainable pre-fab designs with an urban environment in mind.
And besides, I can't imagine you would get the same enjoyment out of seeing such views everyday. When I lived in Seattle, one of the best things about the view to Mt. Ranier was how unreliable it was. When you did get to see it, it was always bigger and more beautiful than you remembered.
Nice - you think it needs that helical-anchor foundation?
There is no need for this to be so expensive. This is a awesome idea, and i hope i can build my own one day. Pre-fab houses are always too expensive, i could create a identical custom for much cheaper, not that i would build something so boring myself. I do love the rainwater collection and central compost idea though. Great idea, but unpractical.