O-house, the works from Solar Decathlon
What does “net-zero” mean?
“O-house” means zero energy which is a real building includes production, module, unit, house and community, is targeted to solve typical problems in China and tailored to the Chinese market. The house is a component of several related elements, such as product, modular, unit, house and community, which can function individually or combine in innovative ways. They can be plugged into the old city and combined with tourism industry.
Challenge
The whole processing of the project lasts two years, which requires the team members maintain continuous enthusiasm. However, the assembling period is very short, only 10 days, and disassembling also has time limitation which requires the method of design and system in higher level.
Surprise
Besides energy efficiency the O-House offers nearly 80 square meters of living, eating, cooking, sleeping, bathing and home automation space. The modular design can be easily changed and adapted to the individual needs of the residents. The mechanical system of expansion and contraction products such as countertop in kitchen, PV panel structure and tool boxes were made by the students. They also designed changeable and movable interior furniture for bedroom, living room, kitchen and storage room, and realize the ideas finally with the help of Häfele Hardware solutions.