Auburn Students Concept Zero-Energy Mt Laurel Homes for Competition
Sustainability is core to Mt Laurel’s identity. Indigenous trees shade neighborhood roofs to lower energy costs, while programmable thermostats and low-E energy-efficient windows regulate temperatures within homes to further reduce the community’s carbon footprint. For this reason, Auburn University’s Graduate School of Architecture, Planning, and Landscape Architecture selected Mt Laurel as the location for its recent entry in the Department of Energy’s “Race to Zero” design competition. “Working with developers from a New Urbanist community like Mt Laurel gave students the opportunity to operate within the perimeters of its sustainable principles: shared green zones, alleys for service access, etc.,” said Chair of the Integrated Design and Construction Program, Christian Dagg.
Eight students represented Auburn in this year’s “Race to Zero” competition, which requires participants to submit efficient, affordable home prototypes that meet optimal goals of energy consumption. From envelope durability and indoor air quality to solar systems and appliances, the two four-person teams analyzed every aspect of their homes’ design for energy-efficiency. Working with EBSCO and Mt Laurel, the students assessed construction costs and developed renderings that met zoning guidelines and fit the community’s design aesthetic.
Drawing inspiration from the land’s former inhabitants, students from the program’s blue team chose the Muskogean word “Alitta”—meaning “home”—for their plan. An interactive energy monitoring system, electric water heater, and ducted HVAC system contributed to the group’s Home Energy Rating Score (HERS) of 37 without renewable energy and -5 with renewables. The Cornerstone House’s solar hot water heater, closed-cell spray foam insulation, and decentralized whole house Energy Recovery Ventilator (ERV) system resulted in a HERS of 40 without renewable energy and -1 with renewables for the orange team.
Although the teams walked away from the competition empty handed, students received high praise from jurors. “One of the largest home developers in Colorado was on their jury and told them he loved their house,” said Dagg. “He recognized the CNU urban design strategies, and said it was exactly the kind of house he would build.”
Learn more about Mt Laurel’s commitment to sustainability here.
