WaterShed House
The WaterShed design project was a collaboration of 200 students and their faculty mentors at the University of Maryland to design, build, and operate a demonstration house for the 2011 U. S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon. WaterShed won first prize in the competition.
The house uses both passive and active heating and cooling techniques. South glass collects solar heat to warm the interior. Cross ventilation provides cooling when the weather conditions are appropriate. An array of evacuated tube solar collectors actively collects solar heat. The heat is used for domestic solar hot water, as a boost to solar heating, and as a heat source to regenerate a liquid desiccant used to dehumidify the interior. The active part of the space heating and cooling is provided with mini split heating and cooling units. Electrical power for the house is provided by 42 solar panels mounted on one of the shed roofs.
WaterShed is a configuration of two shed roofed modules connected by a small flat roofed section. The bathroom spans over a constructed wetland to make gray water collection easier. The front shed contains the public living spaces. The rear shed contains the bedroom and office area. All the living spaces have ample operable windows for light, ventilation, and solar heat. The sheds slope to the center to facilitate rainwater collection. Outdoor areas are provided off both sheds and are surrounded by plantings providing shading, privacy, and food. The design team also created adaptable furniture for more flexible use of space (WaterShed 2012, 52).