DEVELOPMENT OF DETAILED DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION DRAWINGS FOR NETZERO HOUSE Student: Supervisor: Abstract Net Zero housing

is a concept that was developed with the aim of taking advantage of the abundance of renewable energy system that can be introduced into the built environment to reduce the dependence on non-renewable energy forms. The design process of the Net Zero house involves carefully estimated energy demand of the house. It is important that the energy demand of the house is kept low. This can be achieved through carefully designed building envelopes to reduce energy loss through the building envelope, use of energy efficient appliances and occupants best practices towards energy saving measures. Most of green buildings, Net Zero homes included turned to favour the use of manufactured wall systems like Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs) as a major component towards reduced heat loss through the building envelope. Building researches and demonstrations especially solar decathlon homes where intensive building automations are heavily employed and the use of futuristic technologies like phase change materials can in many cases be met with great scepticism from the general public. Although these offer a great insight towards the use of new materials in buildings they can equally create a disincentive towards people getting involved with building energy efficient homes. The general problem associated with these approaches is the sky rocketing initial costs. The main aim of this project is to illustrate that Net Zero houses can be built through simple or standard construction methods and locally available building materials. Thatayaone Rahii Prof Vera Straka