A Thing of Beauty in an Ugly World: zero carbon design study

A Thing of Beauty in an Ugly World documents the design research study of a zero carbon, off-the-grid, all-electric residence that focused on solving the hydrocarbon fuel pollution problem associated with "ego-Architecture" without compromising the aesthetic quality of beauty. The building was designed to reduce energy requirements by implementing specific PassiveHaus and passive design principles, and using state-of-the-art technology. Design drawings and model photographs of the Fibonacci spiral based design are included. The production of on-site electricity for the all-electric house is supplied by photovoltaic panels integrated into the arcing walls and a vertical wind turbine. The methodology used to establish the amount of renewable energy, in the form of PV, wind, and battery storage required for the all-electric house was to identify all sources of electrical consumption in kWhs per year. Using that methodology, the total requirement for major appliances, small appliances, electronics, solar hot water, lighting, a geo-exchange heating/ cooling system, PV system, and chair-lift was found to be 15,272 kWhs annually. In addition, it was determined two electric cars using an estimated 5,000 kWhs of electricity each per year would raise the total annual electrical demand to 25,272 kWhs. Calculations showed 913 sq. ft. plus 20%, or approximately 1,100 sq. ft. of the 1,389 sq. ft. available on the arcing photovoltaic planes, with a two foot border all around, would be needed to produce the annual electrical requirement of 15,272 kWhs. A vertical wind turbine capable of producing between 5-6 kWhs annually was also located on-site because a comparison of solar insolation and wind speeds for the theoretical site indicated a good fit between wind and solar in that when solar insolation values were lowest, in the winter season, wind speeds were higher. A second wind turbine would be added to meet the electrical demand of two electric cars. Even though the 4,349 sq. ft. design study house, when including the 1,731 sq. ft full basement, is substantially larger than a typical 2,000-2,500 sq. ft. residence, it produced 300% less pollution per sq. ft. If the off-the-grid, all-electric residence had been connected to the grid, it would have produced 18,103 lbs. of CO2, instead of the 28,350 lbs. of CO2, produced by a typical 2,250 sq. ft. family residence. The reduction in pollution is attributable to the implementation of passive design principles and state-of-the-art, energy efficient technology integrated into the design. The methodology used to intentionally integrate beauty into the Fibonacci spiral based design was to identify key words, such as integration, balance, natural, openness, intimacy, warmth, fluidity, peace, and individualism to represent the essence of the whole. Design elements were then assigned to each key word to help the viewer interpret the work of art as being representative of the intended essence of the whole defined as beauty.