

The combination of design strategies led to a 79% reduction from the International Energy Conservation Code 2012 Baseline. South-facing, roof-mounted solar photovoltaic panels were designed to meet the family’s energy demand and moved the project to net-zero status.Įnergy use comparison showing a conventional house design vs.
#Sketchup pro vs studio plus
Image courtesy of Sterner Design.Īll the design decisions above, plus passive strategies (natural ventilation, an optimized building fabric, shading devices), and efficient mechanical systems, resulted in a predicted 79% reduction in energy use from the code baseline. Eleven design strategies were analyzed using Sefaira, leading to the decision to specify an Insulated Concrete Formwork (ICF) and a combination of small fixed overhangs and operable shading screens over the south-facing windows.ĭaylight analysis using SketchUp and Sefaira. The final design incorporated a narrow plate, compact shape, taller windows, and an interior “light well.” Once the ideal conceptual design was found, the challenge of maintaining a steady, passive temperature in a mixed climate with very cold winters and hot, humid summers was addressed. First, six forms were modeled in SketchUp and analyzed in Sefaira with the goal of maintaining at least 200 lux daylighting for 60% of the year in the main living areas.īuilding form iteration studies modeled in SketchUp and analyzed in the Sefaira Daylight Analysis plugin. The firm tested a few different design iterations to achieve its net-zero energy and daylighting goals. Performance goal: net-zero energy, good daylighting.Project stage & completion date: completed in 2019.living area (plus unconditioned storage and garage) Floor area/occupancy: two stories, 2400 sq.

Project type: net-zero energy target, single-family residential.We’ll recap some high-level design moves and share five learnings from his post-occupancy assessment. Where most designers simply dream, Sterner and his clients have rigorously tracked and compared the performance of his as-built project against his proposals. Designed by Carl Sterner of Sterner Design, now with Sol Design + Consulting, the project combined an optimized form with passive and active design strategies to achieve net-zero energy status and an outstanding annual utility bill of only $24! In 2015, we wrote about the Iowa Nest, a net-zero energy single-family home in rural Iowa.
