North House Exterior Shading

Video demonstrating the operation of the exterior blinds during construction of the North House.

The dynamic exterior shading system of customized exterior venetian blinds that wraps the glazed volume of the house is a fundamental part of the DReSS (Distributed Responsive System of Skins) of the North House.

North House is structured and constructed in layers, with each layer performing a different task. The idea behind this strategy is that each layer can be optimized for performance and can undergo future research, development and modification, independent of the other layers. The blinds, which have dual operation tilt angles, as well as the ability to be fully retracted, are automated to manage the passive heating and cooling. Simulation modeling shows that dynamic shading, combined with phase change materials in the floor, decreases the cooling load by as much as 90%, while allowing the house to take maximum advantage of passive heating.

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Education

Tags:

• NorthHouse
• TeamNorth
• SolarDecathlon2009