News 5

UDC has begun the design of the first of four LEED Platinum certified sustainable energy efficient homes that have the capability of achieving a net zero energy stance for Connecting Caring Communities (CCC). The homes will be constructed in CCC’s North Park development project located in North Abilene, Texas. Anchored by a large community park, the development will revitalize the surrounding North Park area and enhanced social and community interaction by design.

The homes are UDC’s most advanced sustainable Low to Moderate Income (LMI)

home design attempted thus far: the Series 012 home design, and are assembled

to maximize sustainability, electrical and water efficiency to the highest available

levels in the market today.

The homes functionality revolves around the pioneering architecture of UDC’s founder and Principal Steven Von Mueller. Architecture that achieves superior sustainability, as well as, operational functionality and that can be constructed within a budget for LMI home buyers. Building performance levels for homes with LMI applications, for many years, have been difficult to achieve due to primarily; unfamiliarity of material and systems capabilities and, of course, budgetary restraints. With the Series 012 home design, it will be possible to produce a house for LMI applications that can deliver a net zero energy capability for the home owner within or below the cost of producing a standard traditional home.

UDC has formulated a design program that will allow this to be achieved. While each geographic location requires a specific approach and special care and attention to environmental conditions, the basic design program will allow the building to function as one entity, by integrating building materials such as; wall, floor and roof systems along with polar alignment and the building plumbing, ventilation and electrical systems together to allow for the highest possible efficiency. This approach is the result of over 7 years of extensive study and development in passive solar strategies and responsible material, system selection and configuration. The homes systems work collectively to increase efficiency overall. The performance result, as compared to a traditional wood framed building of the same size, is a building design that has the ability to operate with an average electrical reduction of up 65% and a water consumption reduction of 90%.

The homes also incorporate “universal” design strategies allowing them to fully

accommodate elderly and handicap occupants whether visiting or living within

the building. As our name indicates, the consortium is dedicated to universal

architectural strategies that will allow all occupants, regardless of physical

handicap to be able to move freely within the building design.

A Storm shelter designed and registered with the National Storm Shelter Association (NSSA) in Lubbock, Texas will provide protection from 250 mph sustained wind loads and a 100 mph debris or missile impact. The storm shelter is above ground, integrated into the building design

and serves in a multifunctional role protecting the homes kitchen

pantry, utility room and water heating systems. The storm shelter

is designed for maximum protection of the occupants and can

sustain its occupants during a contingency event and after the event for several days to weeks by providing not only shelter, but food and water to the survivors. Allowing rescue forces extended time to reach and treat survivors.

The home is equipped with a renewable energy production system, for this application it will be a roof mounted 5kw solar array that will be used to supplement the homes electrical energy needs and depending on occupant behavior and degree of conservation may even produce excess electricity that can be sold back to the energy provider for monetary compensation through net metering.