The "Next Generation" Solar Home Click here to return to the Clean Energy Exhibition home page.

Location - Floor Plan - Excavation - Site Preparation - Rebar
Concrete Pour - Slab - Concrete Blocks - Underground Walls
Surface Bonding - Wood Framing - Waterproofing - Backfill
Subfloor - Upstairs Wall - Solarium - Downstairs Finishing
Upstairs Finishing - Tiling - CableRail Deck - Solar Array
Power Station - Wind Turbine - The Completed Home



An aluminum-framed solarium manufactured by Sunshine Rooms is installed
to enclose the entire upstairs of the home. (September 25, 2005)




This is the view out the front of the upstairs solarium. Even though the upstairs
is only 450 square feet, it feels huge because of all the glass.




Including a solarium in the design of a home must be done carefully. In this
case, during summer the solarium will not overheat because of tree cover.
During winter, heat will be stored in the concrete wall during the day and slowly
released to the home during the evening. The connection of the 22-foot concrete
rear wall to the solarium, and then to the earth below, will help keep the entire
structure cool during summer. The solarium incorporates super-insulated glass,
with one-inch of argon gas between two panes of tempered glass. Further, a
third layer of laminated glass is used on the roof. The roof is also tinted to help
reduce solar gain, and invisible metal particles in the glass reflect excess heat.


Location - Floor Plan - Excavation - Site Preparation - Rebar
Concrete Pour - Slab - Concrete Blocks - Underground Walls
Surface Bonding - Wood Framing - Waterproofing - Backfill
Subfloor - Upstairs Wall - Solarium - Downstairs Finishing
Upstairs Finishing - Tiling - CableRail Deck - Solar Array
Power Station - Wind Turbine - The Completed Home

Click here to return to the Clean Energy Exhibition home page.