The blueprint for the Zero Net Energy Test Home (ZNETH) may sound and look like it belongs on a page in Popular Science. This summer, the drawing jumped out of the page as students from The Durham School of Architectural Engineering and Construction, housed at The Peter Kiewit Institute (PKI), constructed this “green” learning environment.
The collaborative research project, initiated by the University of Nebraska’s PKI, USGBC Flatwater Chapter and the Green Omaha Coalition, is a test home to integrate energy innovations with onsite renewable power solutions that can be used to achieve a zero net energy home.
The house, located at 6454 Woolworth Ave., investigates effective approaches to achieve whole-house environmental and energy goals. It incorporates architectural and construction engineering methods for improving performance while minimizing increases in overall building cost. This research analyzes system performance and costs as they relate to whole building performance, including advanced envelope methods, mechanical/electrical systems, lighting systems and renewable energy systems.
“This project has created an excitement with students, faculty and PKI partners,” said PKI Executive Director Winnie Callahan. “It exemplifies the unique opportunities available to PKI students. The ability to build a green home, the first of its kind in Nebraska, while gaining experience through PKI alums, employed with existing partners, is incomparable.”
ZNETH's objectives are to:
The unique look is a group effort. Architectural engineering students at PKI submitted designs for the ZNETH. The final plans were developed, pro bono, by architect Tim Hemsath, incorporating pieces of each student’s vision. Hemsath, a professor at UNL in the College of Architecture, is also the chair of the USGBC Flatwater Chapter. PKI student Steven Cross is the project manager and main labor force.
The collaborative research project, initiated by the University of Nebraska’s PKI, USGBC Flatwater Chapter and the Green Omaha Coalition, is a test home to integrate energy innovations with onsite renewable power solutions that can be used to achieve a zero net energy home.
The house, located at 6454 Woolworth Ave., investigates effective approaches to achieve whole-house environmental and energy goals. It incorporates architectural and construction engineering methods for improving performance while minimizing increases in overall building cost. This research analyzes system performance and costs as they relate to whole building performance, including advanced envelope methods, mechanical/electrical systems, lighting systems and renewable energy systems.
“This project has created an excitement with students, faculty and PKI partners,” said PKI Executive Director Winnie Callahan. “It exemplifies the unique opportunities available to PKI students. The ability to build a green home, the first of its kind in Nebraska, while gaining experience through PKI alums, employed with existing partners, is incomparable.”
ZNETH's objectives are to:
- Design and construct a test home to integrate environmental/energy innovations and onsite/renewable power solutions that can be used to achieve a zero net energy building.
- Receive a USGBC LEED® Platinum certification for the test home and utilize the house as a living laboratory for sustainable education.
- Integrate key environmental/energy systems innovations into existing homes and commercial buildings.
The unique look is a group effort. Architectural engineering students at PKI submitted designs for the ZNETH. The final plans were developed, pro bono, by architect Tim Hemsath, incorporating pieces of each student’s vision. Hemsath, a professor at UNL in the College of Architecture, is also the chair of the USGBC Flatwater Chapter. PKI student Steven Cross is the project manager and main labor force.
posted by ktorpy @ 2:20 PM
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