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SCU Radiant House is designed primarily for retired couples who are interested in an affordable, sustainable lifestyle they can feel good about.
The house is totally accessible and uses a number of low-maintenance features including weather-resistant decks and low-water greenery.
Radiant House also features a user-friendly home automation/control system that lets the owner control the lighting and operate the windows, patio doors and garage door panels using a tablet computer or mobile phone.

Interior Features

Interior Features

Some of the notable interior design elements include:

Dunn Edwards Everest – Interior, self-priming paint with zero VOCs

Bosch Induction Cooktop – Highly efficient, magnetic induction cooktop to help you put your energy woes on the back burner

TEMPUR Bamboo Sheets – A 70% bamboo, 30% cotton blend that combines the softness of bamboo with the sturdiness of cotton

Sun Frost Refrigerator – A compact fridge and freezer unit that uses the same amount of energy as a single incandescent lightbulb

American Clay Plaster – Clay earth interior wall finish that purifies air naturally through pores in the plaster

Eco by Cosentino Countertops – A durable surface made with 75% recycled glass and ceramic, and 94% re-used water

Fireclay Ceramic Tile – Bathroom tile comprised 100% of locally-sourced and recycled glass, granite, porcelain.

Viscose Bamboo Bath Towels – All natural towels woven from unbleached bamboo fibers that offer superior absorbency and breathability

TEMPUR Bamboo Sheets – A 70% bamboo, 30% cotton blend that combines the softness of bamboo with the sturdiness of cotton

Plyboo Bamboo Floors – Sustainably harvested bamboo flooring featuring a soy-based adhesive system for a truly eco-friendly finish

Exterior Features

Exterior Features

The exterior of the Radiant House included many of the most environmentally-friendly and economical materials and systems, including:

Awntech Awning – Awnings made from semi-permeable Awntech fabric beat the heat, but allow for a natural exchange of light

Tiger Deck Bamboo Decking – Natural strength and beauty lend themselves to easy to install and low-maintenance

ChargePoint EV Charging Station – An electric vehicle charging station harnesses energy from the solar array to power the electric vehicle

Landscaping – A variety of durable, drought-resistant plants allow homeowners to enjoy natural California beauty without extensive upkeep

Light Gage Metal Siding – Low-maintenance, versatile metal siding provides a sleek counterpoint to the natural surrounding environment

Technology

Technology

Several new technologies were used to make the Radiant House energy-efficient and friendly to the environment.

Natural Bamboo Structure – Sustainably produced bamboo in the walls, roof, and floor structural systems grows 5 times as fast and produces 5 times the oxygen of traditional lumber.

Messana Radiant Heating and Cooling – Radiant heating and cooling system avoids uncomfortable blasts of air by using water tubes to heat and cool the interior and keep a uniform environment. If desired, the owner could add a fireplace mantel and an electric fireplace insert to add an energy-efficient, traditionally warm ambience to this otherwise modern home.

Smart Home Control System – Intuitive control system offers homeowners a straightforward platform to easily operate clerestory windows, front patio door, lights, and HVAC system

Clothes Dryer with Heat Recovery – Exhaust from the dryer passes through a shell and tube heat exchanger, preheating the incoming air to increase efficiency and use less energy.

Domestic Hot Water Tank – Phase Change Material (PCM) is heated during the day by a solar thermal panel, storing latent energy which is released to heat the water both during the day and at night.

Sunplanter Roof Integrated Solar Racking – Sunplanter rails save time and material by combining structural and racking elements and blending bulky solar panel system into the roofline.

Solar Thermal Hot Water – Solar thermal panel absorbs heat from the sun, warming tubes of water that are then used to convey heat to the domestic hot water tank.

Passively-cooled Solar Panels – The rooftop photovoltaic system incorporates passive cooling below the solar panels to increase their efficiency.

Inventions

During the process of building the home, Santa Clara students invented several new technology features, including:

  • An solar thermal container made from a Napa Valley wine barrels.
  • A smartphone app that lets the homeowner remotely turn his lights off and close her windows. When you ask change the AC or heat, it suggests when to open a window or close the shades.

Related Posts:

  • Fast Facts
  • Contest
  • :: Radiant House
  • Timeline
  • Photos
  • Its Time To Fuel Up

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