Researchers at the University of Stuttgart in Berlin have designed a next-gen, “grid-positive” residence that is completely encased in glass.
From the garden side, one observes two-storeys worth of private living space, while on the street side a large open frame serves as a showcase for the public – providing real-time information about the house and its electric vehicles via a dynamic interactive display system.
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All of the materials and systems in the house, including those on display, are designed to facilitate recycling and dis-assembly.
Power in the futuristic residence is generated through a sophisticated use of solar photovoltaic and solar thermal systems that allow the structure to produce a net annual surplus of energy, even after powering its electric vehicles.
The energy needs of the home itself are reduced by a combination of advanced design factors, including passive solar infrastructure.
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This net surplus is subsequently fed into the public electricity grid and contributes renewable energy to the utility system.
The project not only illustrates the feasibility of building future single-family homes that generate a significant surplus of energy, but also demonstrates how future buildings can be designed and built to allow for complete recycling at the end of their life cycle.