According to Dezeen, Architects Robert Arlt and Charles MacBride worked with students at the South Dakota State University Department of Architecture to complete a Passivhaus in Brookings, S.D., which is on the eastern edge of the state. It's the first of it's kind in the area in a state where there is currently no statewide energy code for residential buildings. "In a state that will not adopt energy codes, the design responds to showcase and demonstrate sustainable development to the region's public, contractors, and building officials through site selection, systems and assemblies," the team said.
The group obtained a housing grant from the Governor's Office of Economic Development to design the project to meet standards set by the Passive House Institute. According to the team, the 2,000 square-foot house is also the first in the area to produce more energy than it consumes.
"The residence is 90 per cent more efficient than a similar house built to code and is the first house in the region to sell energy back to the grid," it said.
Energy-saving and environmentally friendly details include photovoltaic panels installed on the roof to generate energy, a built-in water heater with a more efficient heat pump and quadruple glazed windows.
