Introducing Empowerhouse, an Ultra Affordable, Efficient Home

Recent winner of the Solar Decathlon's affordability category, the Empowerhouse costs under $230,000 to construct and uses an estimated 90% less energy than the typical U.S. home.

1 minute read

September 30, 2011, 6:00 AM PDT

By Judy Chang

Writes Ben Schiller: "Parts of the design [a joint entry from the Parsons The New School for Design, the Milano School of International Affairs, and the Stevens Institute for Technology] is already being used by Habitat in new units it is building in the D.C. area.'We didn't want to design just one house, but something that Habitat for Humanity could replicate. So we used simple materials, and simple building methods that they would be able to use,' says Steve Scribner, a project leader, and one of 200 students working on the project."

FULL STORY: The Empowerhouse: An Affordable, Energy-Efficient Home Built By College Students

Thursday, September 29, 2011 in Fast Company

Architecture Energy Housing United States Habitat for Humanity

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Start Learning

Advertise with us

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.