we have completed the net zero energy rehab of our 111-year-old historic folk-victorian home in ann arbor, mi. a net-zero energy home (also called zero energy home) is a home that produces as much or more energy than the occupants consume. this is accomplished by first reducing energy demand, typically by 60% – 70%, then meeting that demand by adding on-site renewable energy. we were inspired by the challenge of the late ray anderson, the founder of interface, inc., to create a society with zero environmental footprint.

we are now fulfilling our family’s goal to create a living building by rehabilitating a home that creates its own energy, creates zero waste and will be a restorative part of our community. in march 2011, we paid our last utility bill . . . ever. our home is believed to be the oldest home in america to achieve net zero energy. usa today honored the home as one of the “best green houses of 2010”

learn more at http://www.missionzerohouse.com

looking to keep track of team california?

for access to the entire archive of caltech sci-arc solar decathlon 2011 videos: visit the member page

looking to keep track of team tennessee’s living light?

for access to the entire archive of the university of tennessee’s solar decathlon 2011 videos: visit the member page

looking to keep track of the living light team?

for access to the entire archive of the university of tennessee’s solar decathlon 2011 videos: visit the member page

we represent a new paradigm for the construction industry which is the largest consumer of energy and resources on the planet. traditionally we harvest and mine raw materials from distance sources then ship to manufacturing centers which can be hundreds of miles from the source. the resulting building products are then shipped to distribution centers for further shipment to the actual job site. with my technology we take our manufacturing plant to the job site where we turn local earthen material, the worlds most abundant building resource, into giant modular units that are immediately placed into a structural system using mechanical equipment. my system reduces shipping costs to the bare minimum and features the lowest embodied energy costs of any manufactured product/building system in the world.

our massive earthen walls are extremely strong to resist the increasingly violent weather associated with climate change. and our massive wall systems give the structure superior thermal mass that mitigates outside temperature changes naturally to keep the structure cool in the summer and warm in the winter. this feature can save up to 90% of the energy normally required to heat and cool our buildings. my structures also don’t burn, do not rot or support mold growth, are very resistant to insect and rodent infestation, and feature a closed loop material cycle as earth is infinitely recyclable. my mechanized manufacturing and production process is not limited by human physical capability so production potential is huge and easily maintained because machines do not get tired. i believe this system to be the worlds fastest construction method as we are capable of going from a raw material to a building product that is placed into a structural system in only a few minutes. please review our videos at www.earthcomegablock.com to understand more about my process.