Sekisui House unveils state-of-the-art green home

Reuben Lee | Jun 24, 2008

If ever there was a dream home for environmentalists, this would be it. The 220m² "Zero mission House", announced in conjunction with the upcoming Hokkaido Toyako G8 Summit in July, will showcase the latest Japanese technologies in energy and environmental conservation.

The key feature of the Zero Emission House is its focus to minimize its carbon footprint. Developed by Japanese home builder Sekisui House, the Zero Emission House is powered by a 14.5-kilowatt capacity photovoltaic generation system (solar array) and a small 1-kilowatt wind generator. The house itself features the use of energy-saving appliances such as OLED lights, household fuel cells and a ventilation system aimed at reducing airconditioning usage while cleansing the air in the house.

The materials used here have been carefully chosen and designed to maximize energy efficiency, from thermal insulation glass to maintain heating in the home during cold weather, to roof vegetation that reduces heat absorption in summer. The external wall offers enhanced insulation and promotes indoor air circulation, while a photocatalytic layer helps purify air. The house is also built with earthquake-resistant materials and features a damper system capable of reducing building deformation (during earthquake) by half.

Unveiled by the Japan Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), the Zero Emission House is currently being built on the site of the Hokkaido Toyako G8 Summit and expected to be completed by end of June. It will be open to the media during the summit where environmental issues will be discussed. The construction of the Zero Emission House is expected to cost almost US$2 million, a small price to pay considering its environmentally friendly capabilities.

Via Ubergizmo and PR-inside.com
Picture credit: Ubergizmo

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