ABSTRACT
The Gable Home is a synthesis of vernacular architectural traditions and emerging technologies. Laminated veneered bamboo was used to fabricate the structure of the 68.3m2 (735 ft2) one-bedroom home. Designed and built to achieve Passive House certification, The Gable Home was the top US finisher in the US Department of Energy’s 2009 Solar Decathlon, and has been monitored since installation on a permanent foundation. The house is located in a region where seasonal temperatures vary significantly, rising above 35°C (95°F) in the summer, and falling below -12°C (10°F) in the winter. The experimental project has provided an ideal environment to test low energy, innovative heating and cooling systems. The distinctive form of The Gable Home accommodates a 9 kW array on the south facing side of the roof. On balance, over a one-year period, the house produces approximately 3000 kWh more than it consumes to operate, and maintain thermal comfort.
