Solar Hot Water Design

Solar Hot Water Design

This was intended as a practical application of the information gathered during the semester. The project addressed both the practical application of designing a solar hot water heater but also attempting to create a design that was made from the items our society discards. There are two options for the design one a portable shower concept for use in a camper for example and the other for a more permanent installation on a building. One requirement is that these heaters also have a high quality of aesthetic appeal in the finished products.

After collecting materials one student group designed this batch heater. Working with a reclaimed refrigerator and discarded water heater they produced a prototype that could be used to reduce land filled refrigerators and water heaters. Here the refrigerator shell is fitted with cradles for the tank.

The unit is nearing completion, adding reflecting materials to the door. This unit was eventually donated to a visitor to earth day in Prescott. From left to right: Clair Seesman, Carrie Gheary Oatey and Asa Hunt.

This design is made from a used tank use in a water filtration system. Other than plumbing items other materials were scavenged locally. Left to right: Yonatan Strauch, Ben Mancini (solar consultant), Cathy Mullan.

Sustainable Product Design

Sustainable Product Design

For the first time the semester included product designers who were asked to develop a chair design for Ecosa. This chair is ultimately intended to be marketed as a part of a sustainable furniture line. The challenge is to develop a materials palette that can be proven to be sustainable through empirical methods. This includes researching toxicity, energy consumption and finishes in the manufacturing and distribution process. The concept of minimizing materials was also central to the brief. Packaging was also required to be minimized which resulted in a design that can be packed into a small space yet be quick and easy to assemble. A prototype was also required which will continue to modified as testing of the product continues. A life cycle cost assessment is currently being done by Keara Schwartz who worked on the chair design.

The padding material for the cushions is manufactured from the waste materials from the production of Jeans (Courtesy: Bonded Logic, Inc.)

The sling and fabrics are all sustainably produced and are non-toxic. (Courtesy: Carnegie Fabrics, Inc.).

To reduce shipping costs the chair breaks down and can be reassembled in two minutes with four screws. Additional modification and testing will reduce the time and the number of screws.

Sanders Residence

Sanders Residence

Designed for a client on an extremely remote site where water is a critical issue this project provided a challenge. Four designs were completed and demonstrated a number of strategies for making this house more sustainable than a similar standard project. This design also initiated a discussion among the group as to what sustainability means in terms of a remote location and the need for technology to be devised to provide the same “comforts” to be found in an existing urbanized setting. The client was very open to new ideas and participated in the learning process throughout the project. This project illustrated the many different approaches to achieving a result that uses fewer resources.

An initial 2-day survey was undertaken to locate a site on the property and to confirm that the survey maps we were given were accurate.

Team A design. Meeting the many needs required by the client made this a large house. However calculations show that by using roof water catchments and solar hot water heating, photovoltaic panels, passive solar heating, and cooling the resource use of this building can be minimized.

Team B used the site details to collect additional water and placed photovoltaic panels along paths as a design feature. Heating and cooling were achieved passively.

Team C used rammed earth utilizing materials from the local area. The use of a courtyard and a breezeway gave passive cooling in the hot summer months. A very simple but sophisticated layout providing ample south facing fenestration for solar gain.

This view diagram is one of many investigations of the building in relationship to the site.

Team Zach, a late entry in the house design, uses the south solar access and southeast view shed as the organizing angles for the building. This met both the clients need for passive solar heating and a focus on the mountain views to the East.

Lincoln Street Student Housing

Lincoln Street Student Housing

Designed for a developer in Prescott this project may become the housing for Ecosa students. One of the criteria is that the complex could be sold as apartments or condominiums should the local demand for student housing diminish. The client requested that the building be as sustainable as possible within economic guidelines making the challenge what can be done at market prices. Energy studies using energy-10 were undertaken which showed a considerable reduction in both heating and cooling using passive strategies. Another aim is to bring a sense of shared community spaces to the neighborhood.

A survey and analysis of the neighborhood was completed for this project to determine both its character and the scale. It is an area in transition from small single-family homes to multi family units. The challenge is to insert a project into the area and not overwhelm its sense of scale.

Site Organization was explored to maximize street frontage community space while maintaining privacy for the residents.

The final design incorporated a private central area with a more public street entry area. Sustainable strategies employed include solar hot water and a full analysis of energy using energy-10. This indicated that a 5 degree temperature change for heating and cooling to maintain occupant comfort. The building footprint and design were kept simple as the client budget was critical.

Client and team for the Prescott student apartments. From left to right Phil Brown (client) Sofia Sole, Karen Sonstrom, Austin Dingwall, Sara Desmond and Jose Marion-Landis.

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