We all have a smart device tucked in our pockets or bags that, without much thought from us on how, controls much of our daily life. This small device has thousands of integrated functions that help us communicate, organize, shop, explore, live healthier, and much, much more.

Why? Because that’s what we have demanded from our phones. That demand and the rapid evolution of technology has produced hundreds of options among smart devices from the launch of the iPhone just ten years ago.

Now, consumers are starting to look at their homes to act, respond and cater to them much like their phones do—to communicate with them, to help them organize their lives, and to live healthier, longer lives.

That is the premise of the FutureHAUS, built and developed by more than 100 Virginia Tech students and faculty for competition in the 2018 Solar Decathlon Middle East, where the project earned first place among 60 entries.

The experience and expertise of a highly diverse team contributed to the success of the project and the way that it all integrates seamlessly—from a technology perspective to the design aesthetics. The Solar Decathlon judges were impressed with the fluidity of the home and some of their comments included:

The project is all about patterns engraved on walls to symbolize rhythms of wind and sun, customized to response to Dubai harsh climate, allowing some to enter and blocking some. The harmony of the team is felt around each part, every piece falls right into place and connects efficiently to create the beautiful whole, it is indeed a near future home that is leading the way to show what is possible.”

The project redefines integration—it is truly a holistic solution that embodies the goal: produce a tech enabled, high performing, spatially gracious house that addresses aging in place.

The skilled organization of MEP services is to be commended and should be used as an example of a sophisticated coordination of services.

Joe Wheeler, co-director for the Center for Design Research and professor at the school of architecture + design at Virginia Tech, was lead on the project and attributes the success to the cross-disciplinary team and the off-site construction.

As a project to rethink the future of home building, Wheeler was hopeful that it could be an instrument to drive change. The parameters of the project, unfortunately cannot eliminate the fact that home builders still have a business model in place that needs to drive profits, however, the FutureHaus still sets an example for future home building.

Now, Wheeler is refocusing his team to leverage the technologies of industrialization used on the FutureHaus to explore higher volume scale production. Riding on his belief in the strength of interdisciplinary teams, Wheeler is also bringing in industrial and systems engineering teams to imagine what a manufacturing facility that produces this type of housing would look like and how it might work.

In this short video, Wheeler discusses how the home came together and how it represents the future of home building.

The Solar Decathlon judges appreciated the power of the off-site modular system that Virginia Tech used to construct the FutureHaus, even pointing out the various ways it would contribute to aging in place. The jury’s comments included:

The cartridge concept is a thoroughly developed idea that integrates different aspects of living catering to various segments of the community. The concept goes one step further into automation and industrialization process for manufacturing the house, assembling it and monitoring/controlling the final product.

[The]Modular system reduces a lot of waste and provides flexibility for future modifications offering a cost-effective option. This truly is the future of home construction.

The home was built in Saudi Arabia for the competition, but will be back in the states on display on a number of occasions. The house will be installed on the Virginia Tech campus for the month of April, followed by an appearance on Times Square for NYCxDesign from May 10 to 12 pending final approvals. The home will then be transferred to Alexandria, Virginia to mark the future location of Virginia Tech's innovation campus, a partnership with Amazon's headquarter 2 location. Finally, it is in consideration for exhibition at the 2020 World Expo.