The Nexus House is Team NJHA's submission to the 2013 Solar Decathlon China.

The house is conceived of as a transitional home for families living in areas of China on the brink of rapid urbanization. By introducing up-to-date home technology and functionality while preserving an agrarian sensibility, the Nexus House represents the intersection of rural and urban.

The "NEXUS" is the multiplicity of ideas present in the house. Each element of the house has been designed as a hub; through which materials such as water, air, and power flow. These multi-functional elements represent original, innovative passive design solutions.

The Nexus House respects the customs of rural Chinese family life while providing the advantages of smart, contemporary design.

exusHOUSE

01 | architectureA jury of architects shall give a score for the design’s architectural merit and implementation by reviewing the team’s drawings, construction specifications, and audiovisual architecture presentation.

TRADITIONAL

ENGAGING

HARMONIOUS

RESPONSIVE

ILLUMINATED

PRODUCTIVEDYNAMIC

RECONFIGURABLE

COMMUNAL

SEASONAL

NETWORKED

CONSTRUCTIVE

INTUITIVE

PEACEFUL

CONTEMPORARY

SYMBIOTIC

SUSTAINABLE

PASSIVE

MINIMAL

SOCIAL

MULTIFUNCTIONAL

ENERGETIC

NATURAL

COOPERATIVE

BALANCED

CONSERVATIVE

FLEXIBLE

MODULAR

ADAPTABLE

DISTINCT

SIMPLE

AGRARIAN

EFFICIENT

INTEGRATED

ATTRACTIVE

INDIGENOUS

COURTYARD

PRIVATE + COMMUNITY LIFE

COURTYARD BETWEEN TWOPROGRAMMATIC DIFFERENCES

PRIVATE TO SOUTH / BACK

“PUBLIC” COVERED DECKFOR ENTRY ANDENTERTAINMENT

SOCIAL

PASSIV

SMPLMINIMAL

SUSTAIN

SMPLMINIMAL

N

CONNECTION + OPENNING

KITCHEN

KITCHEN OPERATES TO BECOMEEXTERIOR IN THE SUMMER MONTHSAND CLOSES BACK UP FOR WINTER.

DECKING ADJACENT TO KITCHENALLOWS EXTERIOR SPACE TOFLOW INTO INTERIOR SPACE.

COURTYARD AXIS RESPONDS TOCENTRAL PASSIVE VENTILATION.

THE KITCHEN BRIDGESTHE DIVIDE BETWEEN

PUBLIC AND PRIVATE ANDBECOMES A CENTER

OF FAMILY LIFE

SOCIAL

SUSTAIN

PASSIV

SMPLMINIMAL

SUSTAIN

WATER ROOF

SOLAR ROOF

THE ROOF ALSO DEFORMS TOCOLLECT WATER AND DEPOSITSINTO A EVAPORATIVE COOLING

POOL IN THE CENTER OF THECOURTYARD SPACE

PRODUCTIVE GARDENS HELP SELF-SUSTAIN THE HOUSE AND

TRACE BACK TO RURALREGIONAL ACTIVITY

ROOF SLOPES RESPONDTO SOLAR ANGLES AND

ENERGY PRODUCTION

SOLAR SHADING AND LOUVERSYSTEM ON SOUTH FACDE

PASSIV

SUSTAIN

PASSIV

SUSTAIN

SPATIAL ROOF FORM

DECKING + CIRCULATION

ROOF FRAMES CARRY THE ROOF OF A SINGLE CONITOUS SURFACE

THAT UNIFY THE SPACES

ROOF HOUSES MECHANICALDUCTS, AUXILLIARY LIVING

SPACES AND A PRIVACY/IDENTITYSCREEN IN THE FRONT

OUTDOOR SPACES FORFAMILY, FRIENDS, AND GUESTS

SOCIAL

SOCIAL

SUSTAIN

SUSTAIN

exteriorThe exterior form is sculpted to be passive and sustainable to collect and absorb the maximum of natural energy flows. It is radically social with its programmatic extensions to the exterior while remaining beautifully and architectonically minimal.

EXTENSION TO EXTERIORE

ONE-WAY DIRECTIONAL

Southern exposure is controlled by adjustable louvers to filter sunlight into interior spaces. Folding exterior walls extend and direct programmatic flow to exterior areas: front deck, rear deck and courtyard .

360° EXTERIOR ACCESS

The roofed deck , with 360° exterior access, provides for the large programmatic extension of interior and site uses. The deck’s multi-functions include, but are not limited to, dining, entertainment, and field work features.

TWO-WAY CONTINUOUS

Two folding exterior walls provide continuous exterior flow through the kitchen. This allows for the enhanced cross-ventilation of the heavy greases attributed with chinese cooking. The folding walls also extend cooking and dining experiences to the outdoor deck and courtyard.

63

ThTexefoexsimarenw

rghc

wawiduo

360°N

W

S

E

A

B

C

IDENTITY SCREEN

The identity screen can be customized in a various number of ways to represent the house, field, and/or home-owners. The diagram above illustrates a few options of which can be customized.

Signage

B Vegetation

A Cladding Material

C

PORCH

USABILITY

The porch is the same length and width of the house, allowing for an exterior programmatic reflection of interior living. It can be used for dining, entertainment, socializing and more. Built-in perimeter seating allows for flexibility in programming.

The porch accomodates for many client-specific uses. It provides a shared exterior space for field work such as preparing vegetables and crops. It also provides seating and shade for a mid-work lunch so that users do not enter the house while untidy from field work.

FIE

LD

WO

RK

/ B

RE

AK

DIN

ING

EN

TE

RT

AIN

ME

NT

1

3

4

5

2

3

4

6

Grass Marsh Grass Cabbage

TatsoiAmaranth Pak-Choi Bok Choy

Mizuna

Lemon Grass Cilantro Asian Basil

Magnolia

Jasmine

Daikon Radish Chinese Squash Hot Peppers

3 3

3

5

6

3

4

6

LANDSCAPE

Vegetable Greens

2 Evaporative Pond

1 Courtyard

3

Seasonal Vegetables

5 Flowers

4 Herbs

6

C

e

p

LANDSC

Vege

2 Evap

1 Cour

3

Seas

5 Flow

4 Herb

6

1

2

3

NORTH-EAST CORNER

RTH-EAST CORNER

45

6SOUTH-WEST CORNER

interiorThe Interior Design intent within the Nexus House is inspired by elements within traditional Chinese culture while transforming the space to adapt to a modern urban landscape. Features in the home were made with form and functionality in mind, while creating a space that is inviting and memorable.

1

2

3

4

5

KITCHEN

LIVING ROOM

BEDROOM 2

BATH / LAUNDRY

BEDROOM 1

INTERIOR FLOOR PLAN

1

23 4 5

LIVING ROOM

Homeowners and guests are greeted by the lit wooden entrance portal, which contrasts the reclaimed hardwood flooring that runs from the deck into the home. The entertainment casework takes advantage of the living rooms high ceilings by activating the full wall and provides adequate storage for essentials. The base cabinetry wraps around the room to provide drawers, shelving, usable surface area, and tuck away stools for extra seating.

LOFT

The loft is accessible by the ladder that is attached to the entertainment casework. This bonus space is used as a casual and fun reading nook, but can just as easily be used as a sleeping space for guests.

KITCHEN

Designed for optimal use and organization, the kitchen takes advantage of its footprint and serves as a bright and open space for family gatherings. The hues of green harp to the adjacent courtyard, giving the space personality while celebrating the colors of the land.

BATH + LAUNDRY

The bathroom was designed to be a retreat, a relaxing and soothing space to look forward to using. It's bright walls help widen the space and the horizontality leads your eye to the stacked pebble wall, which flow into the pebble garden below.

02 | engineeringA jury of professionals shall score the design’s engineering merit and implementation by reviewing the team’s deliverables and by performing an on-site evaluation of the competition entry.

Each of the competing teams will create a functional system that maintains air quality, comfort conditions, and facilitates a reduction in energy consumption during operation.

Maximize passive air flow and cooling and to minimize the need of mechanical heating and cooling during year round operation.

DEHUMIDIFIERCOMPRESSORAIR HANDLERPLENUM WALLDUCT WORKERV

STRATEGY:

GOAL:

To create a functional system that maintains air quality,comfort conditions, and facilitates a reduction in energy consumption during operation.

STRUCTURENEXUS house utilizes a wood framing structural system. The roof is composed of wood trusses to better support the predicted live loads (snow+rain) as well as the weight of the Solar Panels. The loads are then transfered from the trusses to the columns and then perpendicularly down to the soil.As a safety precaution, NEXUS house was also designed to resist seismic loads.

the columns then

ularly down il.As a safetyn, NEXUS

was also to resist

ads.

ming structural The roof is

d of wood to better

he predicteds (snow+rain) the weight of

Panels. The are then from the th l

CTURECTUREouse utilizes a

DECKHOUSE

FLOOR FRAMING

WALL FRAMING

ROOF TRUSSES

STRUCTURE AXONOMETRIC

ROOF BEAMS TOGIRDERS CONNECTION

STEEL PLATE CONNECTION

COLUMNS TO FLOOR FRAME CONNECTION

DECK BEAMS TOGIRDERS CONNECTIONDECGIR

NEXUS HOUSE LOAD DISTRIBUTION

STRUCTURAL LOADSDEDEADAD LLOAOADD

Using an efficient truss system NEXUS HOUSE mini-mizes the amount of material use while resisting live and dead lods applied to it.

NEXUS HOUSE LOAD DISTRIBUTION

+kg

+kg

+kg

+kg+kg

RAIN LOADLILIVEVE LLOAOADD

+kg

+kg

+kg

SNOW LOADLILIVEVE LLOAOADD

WIND LOADLILIVEVE LLOAOADD

+kg

03 | market appealEach house will be scored by a jury of proffesionals who will evaluate the house’s livability, marketability, and buildability. The market appeal will be judged through the drawings, constructions specs, and the audiovisual sales presentation.

The competing teams are challenged to create innovative designs that offer the occupants a safe, functional, convenient, comfortable, and enjoyable place to live while keeping the construction process simple.

Rural Farmland in China is rapidly becoming urbanized as the temptation of the comforts of the city overwhelm the hard life of the farming family.

The Nexus House attempts to solve this dilemma by creating a productive, replicated, passive housing prototype which can be implemented in rural areas and responds to local climate, culture, and environmental needs.

Nested in a proposed masterplan for such a growing city, the Nexus House occupies the border between urban and rural.

Characteristics

Location of permanent site

# of Occupants

Housing Type

Client demographic

# of bedrooms

Hubei, CHINA

3

Farmers of Hubei

Single Family

2

STRATEGY:

GOAL:

To create a house that is practical and fulfills the needs of the occupants while still remaining structurally simple to assemble.

Create a design that offers the occupants a safe, functional, convenient, comfortable, and enjoable place to live while keeping the construction process simple.

04 | communicationsA jury of professionals shall score each house based on communications materials; a final website, public exhibit materials, public exhibit presentation, and video walk through.

STRATEGY:

GOAL:

To utilize social media to simul-taneously spread awareness about the house and the strate-gies it employs. Also develop deliverable that allow the visitors to better understand how the architecture and engi-neering performs.

To create a comprehensive set of documents and materials that communicate the preformative, structural, and passive nature of the house.

05 | solar applicationsThe teams will be judged based on their solar utilization and innovations by a jury whch will review the team’s drawings, construction specifications and design of solar PV electrical/thermal systems, sunlight and other ulilizations.

Each team will have to show that their systems are meeting the energy requirements and efficiencies of their distinct entries through a specific set of documentation.

23 deg

23 deg

Each house will be scored by a jury of proffesionals who will evaluate the house’s livability, marketability, and buildability. The market appeal will be judged through the drawings, constructions specs, and the audiovisual sales presentation.

The competing teams are challenged to create innovative designs that offer the occupants a safe, functional, convenient, comfortable, and enjoyable place to live while keeping the construction process simple.

STRATEGY:

GOAL:

Using all our solar utilities in an efficient and smart way.

NATURAL LIGHTING:

Maximizing exposure and control of natural southern light.

Solar applications have to meet the energy needs of the house.

Conditioned Space Natural Lighting

Unconditioned Space Natural Lighting

SOLAR PANELS:

The 61 solar panels on the roof are angled toward the South, allowing them to increase energy production, while unal-tering the roof shape. Each panel produces 300 watts of energy, which satisfies the needs of the house.

TOTAL SURFACE AREA COVERED = 116.5SQMTOTAL NO. OF PANELS= 35+26+Wall Panels=61+TOTAL ENERGEY PRODUCED PER DAY= 216KW

CHARACTERISTICS MAX POWER VOLTAGE VMP (V) 35 MAX POWER CURRENT MLP (A) 8.58 OPEN CIRCUIT VOLTAGE VOC (V) 41.3 SHORT CIRCUIT CURRENT ISC (A) 9.3 MAX POWER PM(W) 300

26 PANELS 35 PANELS

SOLAR TUBESHUJ12HRJ/16HRJ/24-40 TUBES REQUIRED-64 TUBES INSTALLED-PRODUCTION CAPACITY80GA/302.8L (180L NEEDED )

SOLAR HOT WATER:

The evacuated tubes located along the South fascade are integrated between the windows, filling the gaps archi-tecturally. The tubes produce supplemental hot water to achive maximum heating in the floor and for plumbing uses.- 3 Draws of 60L/10min. each.

06 | comfort zoneAll available points are earned at the conclusion of each scored period by keeping the time-averaged interior dry-bulb temperature between 19°C and 28°C; and humidity below 70%.

To keep the interior dry-bulb temperature between 19°C and 28°C and for maximum points between 22°C and 24°C and the humidity below 60%

STRATEGY:

GOAL:

To utilize passive systems to keep the house as cool as possible to minimize the energy strain on the cooling and dehu-midifying the house.

TEMP. + HUMIDITY:

TOTAL AREA80 sq. m

CROSS VENTILATION

N

2

EVAPORATIVE COOLING

1 ORIENTATION 2

3 SOUTH FACADE LOUVERS 4

18 20 22 24 26 28 ZONE TEMP ( C)

10 20 30 40 50 60 908070ZONE RELATIVE HUMIDITY (%)

DEHUMIDIFIERCOMPRESSORAIR HANDLERPLENUM WALLDUCT WORKERV

ACTIVE SYSTEMS:

PASSIVE SYSTEMS:

There will be multiple water draws at specified times during the scoring period of the competition. For each draw, at least 60 L (16 Gal) of hot water shall be delivered in no more than 10 minutes to qualify for points.

07 | hot water

HOT WATER

COLD WATER

SEPTIC WATER

CITY WATER

GRAY WATER

VENT PIPES

100 pts

0 pts30 40 50 60 70 8035 45 55 65 75 85

HOT WATER DRAW TEMP ( C)

To draw the full 60 L of water at a minimum of 37°C, ideally above 45°C.

STRATEGY:

GOAL:

Maximize the amount of water heated using the Solar Hot Water, allowing the hot water draws to minimize the energy draw from the house.

08 | appliancesJust like in a normal house, all competition entries are required to incorporate basic appliances that fulfill the everyday needs. All these appliances have to comply to the following requiremenets.

Refrigerator: temperature has to be between 1 and 4 degrees Celsius

Freezer: temperature has to be between -30 and 15 degrees Celsius

Clothes - Washer: has to wash 8 loads of laundry.

Clothes - Dryer: has to dry 8 loads of laundry.

Dishwasher: shall operate automatically and the temperature sensors should reach 45°C but not reach 50°C.

Pick the Appliances that fit the rules but minimize the amount of energy consumed.

STRATEGY:

GOAL:

Divide the appliances that need hot water to be supported by the Solar Hot Water Collectors, and use the energy collected by the PV system to support the rest.

100 pts

0 pts-75 -50 -25 0 25

NET ELECTRICAL ENERGY (kWh)

DISHWASHER

DUEL HEAT EXCHANGE

WASHER / DRYER

SHOWER

REFRIGERATOR

STOVE

09 | home entertainmentEach team shall host a movie night for its neighbors during the contest week. The quality and design of the home theater system, ambiance, and overall experience shall be considered in evaluation.

DINNER PARTY

Each team shall host 2 dinner parties for 8 people during the contest week and be judged on the quality of the meal, ambiance, and overall experience.

The meal shall be served and eaten in the conditioned space at the eating area designated in the drawings. Hors d’oeuvres and beverages are permitted to be served outside before the meal.

A detailed dinner menu shall be provided to organizers. The menu must be consistent with the meal served.

MOVIE NIGHT

Guests are encouraged to give higher scores to teams that use fresh ingredients to prepare snacks and cook them entirely in the house.

COOKING

Vaporize 3kg of water within a specifiedtime using a kitchen appliance operatingin its normal configuration.

STRATEGY:

GOAL:

RULE:

9-1. LightingAvailable points are awarded for keeping all interior and exterior lights on during specified periods of time. All dimm-ers are to be set to highestposition.

To use a cohesive interior and exterior lighting scheme that compliments the functions of the house during the home entertainment contests.

To create an intelligent lighting scheme that using energy efficient products to define the overall ambiance of the house during its presentation.

Points are earned for operating a TV and computer during specified periods of time.TV shall be a minimum of 48.3 cm (19 in.) The computer display shall be a minimum of 43.2 cm (17 in.)

max pts

0 pts0 0.5 1.00 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.5 3.02.0

HOME ELECTRONICS

LIGHTING

DINNER PARTY

FAMILY LIVING SPACE

1.2.

3.

ELECTRONICS:

MOVIE NIGHT:

DINNER PARTY

1- AmbianceBeverages and hors d’oeuvres outside on the patio.2- MealDinner served on a traditional round Chinese table.3- Overall experienceHow is the house recieved by dinner guests

1- AmbianceFresh snacks will be prepared and served to movie guests.2- HOME THEATERUsability of the entertainment system and controls3- Overall experience

1- TV :Display shall be 19in. (48.8cm.) minimum.2- LAPTOP:Display shall be 17in. (43.2cm.) minimum.

1. COCKTAIL

Guests will first be served beverages and hors d’oeuvres outdoors before the dinner.

2. DINNER PARTY

Guests will have the meal in the conditioned space at the eating area using rotating circular dining table, which willdefine the sense of the mealand give impression of tradi-tional Chinese culture.

3. MOVIE NIGHT

Guests will be served beverages and snacks outdoor. The snack will be prepared entirely in the house. After watching the movie, the guests will be able to socialize outdoors, leaving them with a lasting impression of the architecture and experience of the house.

10 | energy balanceAll available points are earned at the conclusion of the specified energy balance period for a net electrical energy balance of at least 0 kWh.

STRATEGY:

GOAL:

To maximize energy productionwhile reducing energy consumption.

To produce a greater net energy then the house draws for functioning

1 ROOF GEOMETRY 2 MAXIMIZING NUMBER + EFFICIENCYOF SOLAR PANELS

33 USAGE OFSOLAR HOT WATER

4 USE OF PASSIVESTRATEGIES 5 PICKING THE

RIGHT APPLIANCES

RAIN WATER COLLECTION

PASSIVE VENTILATION+

REFLECTIVE POOLFROM GRAYWATER TO WETLAND

65.67NET

216TOTAL ENERGY PRODUCTION

150.3314TOTAL ENERGY CONSUMPTION

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