the ut new norris house
DESCRIPTION
A New Norris House, an award-winning model for efficient and sustainable living, reflects the multidisciplinary collaboration of students and faculty from design, planning, environmental studies, and engineering programs at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.TRANSCRIPT
College of Architecture & Design
OverviewA New Norris House, an award-winning model
for efficient and sustainable living, reflects
the collaboration of students and faculty
from design, planning, environmental studies
and engineering programs at the University
of Tennessee, Knoxville. It is inspired by
the Town of Norris, a progressive New Deal
Era village and one of the nation’s first
planned communities.
Heralding the enterprising legacy of Norris, the
innovative house and landscape incorporate
green materials, water- and energy-conscious
design strategies, and prefabricated
construction methods. These earned it the
LEED for Homes Platinum Certification, the
highest standard buildings can earn from the
U.S. Green Building Council.
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The University of Tennessee, Knoxville
NEW NORRISHOUSE
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partial passive solar heating
full passive solar heating, 1700 Btu/ft2,d
natural ventilation
DesignDemonstrating how modern,
sustainable architecture can be
sensitively integrated into a historic
town like Norris, the team confronted
and resolved the technological
challenges and legal, social and
aesthetic issues presently limiting
the widespread adoption of green
design and construction.
BuildThe New Norris House acknowledges the
tradition and innovation in design of the original
Norris cottages. The team partnered with
Clayton Homes, the nation’s leading producer
of manufactured and modular homes, to
design and assemble the 1008 ft2 home in two
prefabricated modules that were transported
and installed on a residential street in Norris.
The result is a house that is fully adapted into
its community and representative of forward-
thinking, contemporary design.
EvaluateOver 50 sensors record data on energy, water
use and environmental performance, and
treated water quality. Preliminary analysis
indicates a 56% reduction in average energy
consumption. The house also uses 60% less
potable water than the average home and
landscape in the Southeastern United States.
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INTEGRATED DESIGN
PROCESS
Architecture The team pursued an integrated, holistic approach to design, which mirrored and
drew upon Clayton Homes’ vertically integrated design and production team, and
the multidisciplinary 1930’s model of the Tennessee Valley Authority. Students
learned to organize, delegate and communicate effectively across disciplines and
to leverage ideas, expertise, time and money to make the house a reality.
Interior Design Constrained by the adoption of the original Norris cottage size and form, the
design of the interior exhibits reduced square footage without compromising
spaciousness and livability. Natural materials, textures, color, and handcrafted
details contribute to an inviting space that meets contemporary living needs.
Landscape Design Landscape design students incorporated sustainable site design strategies to
create a multi-functional, productive landscape that enriches the lives of both
the homeowners and Norris community members. The landscape creates a place
for human enjoyment while providing a milieu for ecological processes such as
rainwater infiltration, soil regeneration, and habitat production.
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INTEGRATEDDESIGN TEAM
Community Access The Town of Norris is centered on a common green with commercial,
educational, and spiritual amenities within walking distance of its clustered homes.
The historic plan supports lifestyles that emphasize walking and cycling. The
house is within a half mile of schools, a grocery store, a library, a café, a post office,
and a bank. The site design reconstitutes a stone path linking the home to the
original network of town paths, communal spaces and a forest preserve.
Overview A New Norris House is the 10th LEED-
Platinum project in the State of Tennessee,
and the first LEED-platinum project for UT
Knoxville and the College of Architecture
and Design. Its efficiency is evident in the
building, site, water, energy, atmosphere and
materials use. Its connection to the local
environment and community is accompanied
by the technical achievements seen in its
rainwater collection and treatment system,
extensive planned landscape, efficient
heating and cooling systems, and abundance
of environmentally friendly materials.
Water Catchment The primary cistern uses UV and carbon filtration to treat rainwater collected
from the roof. At capacity, this cistern overflows to a second cistern for garden
irrigation and bio-retention beds. If similar strategies were applied throughout
the town, the municipality could reduce its consumption of potable water by 25
million gallons per year—an amount equivalent to 34 Olympic pools.
Energy The building envelope is tight, well insulated and capable of passively resisting
most external temperature fluctuations. Its high ceilings and concealed loft shutter
promote stack ventilation and further extend the house’s comfort zone. A solar
hotwater panel produces the majority of the home’s hot water. A thermostatically-
controlled, tankless hot water heater boosts temperatures when necessary.
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LEEDPLATINUM
MATERIALS
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Framing
Sustainable Forest Initiative Certified
Regional: Greenville, NC (461 miles)
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Roofing
Englert standing seam metal roof
Made of 99% recycled material
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Siding
Atlantic White Cedar
Regional: Roanoke, VA (237 miles)
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Paints and Coatings
KILZ 2 Low VOC Latex Primer
SHW PROMAR® 200 Zero VOC Interior
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Foundation
General Shale Concrete Masonry
CEMEX Masonry Cement
Regional: Knoxville, TN (30 miles)
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Gypsum (Interior Walls & Ceilings)
90% recycled content
Regional: Bridgeport, AL (163 miles)
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Flooring
Reclaimed White Oak
Regional: Stanford, KY (127 miles)
EXTERIORSustainability is addressed throughout the
exterior. The house features a ventilated rain-
screen facade that prevents decay caused by
trapped moisture. Its airspace, combined with
external and internal insulation, reduces heat
transfer. The house’s natural, durable materials,
which will improve with time and weathering, fit
within the historic context of Norris.
The design of the house’s shell is adapted to
the manufacturing process of Clayton Homes.
Offsite shell construction and panelized,
prefabricated modular units show a 70%
diversion of construction waste. Advanced
framing techniques demonstrate a 17.5%
reduction in lumber, increased insulation,
and decreased thermal bridging.
UT students produced the decks, canopies,
windows and doors offsite, and installed the
siding and landscape elements onsite. The
construction became a community project
that utilized the talents and resources of
the university, professional community,
and neighborhood.
Section Through Kitchen, Loft
01 Bedroom
02 Kitchen
03 Loft
04 Ventilation Shutter
05 Solar Hot Water Panels
06 Mech/Waste
INTERIORThe house was designed as an extension of public activity,
while providing a retreat from the compact urbanism of Norris.
The shared entertainment areas, such as the living room,
kitchen and office space, are equipped with large windows
that offer views of the neighborhood and open to a semi-
private rear deck. The bedroom, bathroom, and loft are
located directly off of these public spaces.
High rafters and a continuous, double-ridge beam were
designed to eliminate collar ties and to create a roomy,
vaulted interior. Built-in cabinetry in the kitchen, swing space,
and bedroom are treated as furniture rather than an enclosed
space. They hide appliances and offer storage to make more
room for living. The ladder-accessed loft and swing space
serve as additional sleeping and working areas.
The house’s spatiality is largely the result of lighting studies.
The team executed and evaluated techniques to maximize
the effective use of daylighting. This informed the team’s
placement and design of glazing areas and exterior shading
devices. Skylights were also sized and placed to maximize
impact and limit solar gain. The lighting in the home, as an
effect, is optimal no matter the time of day or year.
Folding Chair Designed by UT students, this chair is made of oak plywood with a rubbed beeswax finish. By folding the chair and sliding the two units
together, a queen bed is formed allowing both compacted use and the accommodation of a functional guest sleeping space.
2013 Top Ten Green Project of the American Institute of Architects and the Committee on the Environment
2013 Design Build Award from the Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture
2012 Award of Excellence American from the American Institute of Architects Tennessee
2012 Residential Architect Design Award of Merit in Single-Family Housing
2012 Design Award in New Modular Home Design from the Manufactured Housing Institute, National Industry Awards
2012 Design Award of Merit from the American Institute of Architects Gulf States
2011 National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) Prize for Creative Integration of Research & Practice
2009 P3 Award, Environmental Protection Agency Sustainable Design Competition
Images credited to Ken McCown
AWARDS