THREE YEARS LATER THE FIRST USA “ACTIVE HOUSE” STILL SERVES AS A NATIONAL MODEL FOR COMFORTABLE AND SUSTAINABLE FAMILY LIVING
Incorporates Best of American and European Green Home Building Practices
AIA BOOTH 1747 – PENNSYLVANIA CONVENTION CENTER – PHILADELPHIA, PA
PHILADELPHIA, PA – MAY 19-21, 2016 – Active House USA, a custom sustainable home completed three years ago in the St. Louis suburb of Webster Groves, MO, combined leading sustainability and high performance building practices from around the world. Since that time it has been an active home, occupied by David and Thuy Smith and daughter Cameron. This prototype home defines the next generation of sustainable home building in this country, combining expertise from leading sustainable building practices in the United States and from European Active House Alliance practices.
To learn more about Active House USA and the Smith family’s journey to sustainable living, see the original case study and descriptive brochure on the VELUX website. An update on the home and the family, “Three Years Later: Life in Active House USA in Webster Groves,” chronicles their experiences since the home was completed.
The Smiths moved into the 2600 square foot home in April 2013. “Out first impression when we moved in,” David Smith says, “was the excellent air environment. Another of the nicest aspects of the home is the incredible amount of daylight we get. Rarely do we turn on lights during the day.”
During their first year of residence the Smiths allowed the University of Missouri’s Center for Sustainable Energy to monitor energy consumption and indoor air quality as part of their research efforts and to help improve green living standards around the country. The Smiths also provided anecdotal evidence to support these metrics.
Active House USA, built by Hibbs Homes of St. Louis, was designed incorporating Active House Alliance standards utilized in existing Active House Homes built around the world. The home meets, or exceeds, four North American sustainable building certifications: Energy Star, EPA Indoor Air Plus, Building America Builder’s Challenge and ANSI ICC-700-the National Green Building Standard.
VELUX Group, the Danish parent company of VELUX America, was involved with the founding of the Active House Alliance in 2010 in Copenhagen Denmark. The Alliance has been involved with the construction of many Active House projects. Active House USA utilizes a combination of VELUX fresh air skylights and VELUX Sun Tunnel™ tubular skylights.
Stephan Moyon, director of sales for VELUX America, says that the project demonstrates to construction professionals nationwide that quality, energy efficient skylights and windows can work together to result in a highly energy efficient home. “Active House principles illustrate the concept,” Moyon says, “of the interaction between homes and their occupants and why it is important for sustainability that all elements of design work together. It’s a message that is being conveyed to architects and builders throughout the country.”
For more information visit www.activehouse.info, www.hibbshomes.com, or www.activehouseusa.com/press-room.
VELUX is an ENERGY STAR partner and has been recognized as a Partner of the Year.
VELUX is the world leader in skylights and roof windows and is one of the strongest brands in the global building materials sector. VELUX America products are available nationwide through home centers, building material suppliers, lumberyards, and independent door, window, or roofing retailers. Consumers can locate local suppliers and installers, and access information on skylight selection and the benefits of bringing more natural light and fresh air into the home by visiting www.veluxusa.com or www.whyskylights.com. VELUX skylights are Made in America in Greenwood, SC.