Future House USA

What prompted the Chinese Government to initiate the Future House Project?

What are the physical specifications of Future House USA?

What determined the size of the house?

When will the Future House USA go on display?

Will people live in Future House USA?

What is Home Biology 101?

What types of features will Future House USA have?

When is Future House USA expected to be completed?

What kind of roofing system will be used on Future House USA?

What kind of HVAC system will be used in Future House USA?

How many boreholes and to what depth?

Can you describe "demonstration mode'?

What kind of doors?

What type of windows will be used in Future House USA?

Kitchen design?

Paints and stains?

What kind of flooring is to be used on this project?

Plumbing and Fixtures?

Are there any special paving considerations?

Type of insulation to be used?

Exterior wall construction design?

Wiring?

Lighting?

Did you run energy calculations before construction?

What is Mr. Bialecki and company's background, and what brought him to the Future House Project?

What is Dr. Tao's background?

How can an individual participate?

What is the Alternative Energy Living Foundation (AEL)?

What is Alternative Energy Builders?

What is the role of Florida International University?

Is Future House USA seeking sponsors?

Is there an organized PR campaign to create exposure for the Future House Community Project?

What is the Future Plan for the Future House Project?

What prompted the Chinese Government to initiate the Future House Community Project?

In addressing their role as one of the largest greenhouse gas emitters in the world, China's Ministry of Construction, PRC, commissioned this demonstration project titled "Future House", to showcase the most advanced sustainable energy building practices, on a world stage. This 'demonstration community' is specifically intended to address China's growing energy concerns and will use the the 2008 Green Olympics as a platform to inform and educate.

As the first international sustainable energy community, Future House is breaking new ground by uniting ten countries from around the world in the common goal of environmental responsibility and ecological forethought in advancing the art of home building. Future House USA will represent the United States in this endeavor. Other counties involved include, Germany, Japan, Spain, Sweden, South Korea, England, Italy, Norway and China.

As China moves forward into the next decade, they are planning for the construction of over 100 million homes and the production of 120 million more automobiles to meet their present day goal of modernizing their country and stepping forward to participate in global economic activities. To give a comparison, the United States presently has 109 million homes and 240 million automobiles. So, China intends that within the next decade, they will build an equivalent to another United States worth of houses, and manufacture half the amount of automobiles currently in the U.S!

The Future House demonstration community will present modern technologies, based on advanced building science, high energy efficiency materials, sustainable energy systems, as well as non-toxic building products and practices, all intended to assure that future home construction will be energy efficient and healthy to both its' homeowners and environment. The goal of the Future House Teams, is to creatively and co-operatively address this global demand that we, collectively as human kind, are placing on raw materials, natural resources, and our environment as a whole.

As FHUSA Project Director George Bialecki Jr. states,"In the Future House Community project, we are working together as One World in order to preserve our raw and natural and precious resource. In the end, we are one global family that breathes the same air and drinks the same water. As the environment continues to change, it is important to bring to the world solutions that will slow these changes and make the world a healthier and safer place for our present and future generations."

What are the physical specifications of Future House USA?

The house is 3,200 square feet / 297 square meters, excluding the garage. This is broken down as follows: The Main floor is 2531 s.f./ 235 s.m. The Upper floor area is 669 s.f./ 235 s.m. The garage area is 656 s.f. /61 s.m. Future House USA will consist of four bedrooms, and four bathrooms. The east side of the house will be two stories high, and the west side is a single story with an elevated ceiling.

What determined the size of the house?

First, it must be understood that this house is for demonstration purposes only. Before opening to the public, Future House USA will be utilized for private tours to diplomatic leaders from all around the world, mayors of the largest cities in China, university professors, administrators and students, architects, engineers, and governmental officials from many different countries including China. Also, Future House USA will be for training purposes and reserved for corporate meetings to US based companies and hospitality events during the Olympic games.

We do understand, and presently do design and build, sustainable energy style homes in the United States that are 900-1500 sq.ft. in size. These smaller sized homes, which have all of the same high performance, non-toxic features of the original FHUSA, are also available on a world wide basis through our growing network of FHUSA representatives. For questions on design or availability, please visit the contact page of this site and send an e-mail addressing your specific questions. The FHUSA Team will gladly respond.

Olympic officials and the Chinese government are expecting 100 million people to visit Beijing during the Olympic period! It was recently reported that by January 2007,over 350,000 people had stepped up to volunteer for the Olympic Games! The 2008 Olympics are anticipated to be the most expensive Olympics in the history of the Games. China is very proud to be participating as the host of the Olympic Games, and is making every effort to make these Games very memorable. Also, as climate change becomes a concern all around the world, the Future House demonstration community will be a very important touring venue for those to this solution based applications on one property.

Naturally, many will be just visiting Beijing and will not be attending the games. With this in mind, it is still anticipated that over five million people from around the world will visit this Future House community during its' six year public run. With this demonstration community being the first of its kind historically, one may imagine the complexities and challenges that exist, not the least of which is to accommodate such a large number of visitors. Sizing and many design decisions, therefore, are based on our desire for as many people as possible from all over the world, to come visit this Future House community and for each to to be given a chance to conveniently and comfortably take a personal tour of Future House USA.

When will the Future House USA go on display?

Future House Community is scheduled to be open for public display from 2007 through 2014. The various houses are in the process of coming online. An early 2008 target is set for the completion of FH USA.

The Future House Community demonstration project will be active for one year prior to the Olympics and six years subsequent to the conclusion of the Olympic Games, during which time visitors will have access to the homes.

Will people live in Future House USA?

No one will be occupying Future House USA as a resident. However, besides accommodating the public visitors in general, sponsors have the opportunity to utilize the home for private lectures, demonstrations, and tour purposes. This will provide the opportunity to conduct meetings with potential clients, showcase our sponsors products privately, or conduct tours with visitors of their choice, in the FHUSA.

What is the guiding principal behind FHUSA?

When George Bialecki Jr. was approached by the Future House Real Estate Company to participate in the Future House Community Project, he knew that he could take his tried and true Home Biology 101 building method and use it as the basis for the Future House USA. Home Biology 101 is an approach based on five guiding principles: Energy Efficiency, Indoor Air Quality, Storm Water Management, Reduced Water Consumption, and Recycling.

This ‘demonstration home’ offers a design that would minimize construction site waste, as well as reduce toxicity of the materials used in building the house.

What types of features will Future House USA have?

Future House USA employs an advanced design which integrates the architectural style and innovation of Frank Lloyd Wright with the Chinese practice of Feng-Shui. This approach harmonizes the home into the rhythms of the surrounding landscape, thus creating a refreshingly smooth flow of air and light.

The USA Future House design represents the latest in sustainable energy and non-toxic technologies; clothed in a tried and true, award winning, US design style. Interior area fluidity is enhanced by minimization of interior walls. Open and multi-tiered interior rooms feature much natural light, regally high ceilings, and are all finished with Chinese indigenous materials.

There has never been a house like FHUSA before!

• Zero Net Energy Home - Using the energy stored in the ground under the back yard (groundsource energy) and the sunlight falling on the southern roof area (photovoltaic and solar thermal energy) FHUSA represents the state of the art as a self - sustainable, healthy home system. Officially known as a Zero Net Energy Home.

• Zero Carbon Footprint - Because the FHUSA creates, on-site, all of the energy that it uses annually, it's operational carbon footprint is zero!

• Non-toxic - Only user friendly, non toxic materials, adhesives, and laminates are used in FHUSA. No formaldehyde and no/low volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Also, Future HouseUSA will integrate products and features that will eliminate off-gassing, reducing municipal water utilization and a storm water management system.

• High Energy Performance - A completely balanced space conditioning system within a hi performance structure, combine to maximize comfort, minimize monthly energy bills, and accentuate environmental stewardship!

FHUSA, with it's unique Home Biology 101 approach, integrates energy efficiency, indoor air quality, water conservation, municipal water consumption, and indoor air quality into quite literally, the House of the Future!

When is Future House USA expected to be completed?

Construction is underway now with a June 15th completion date targeted.

What kind of roofing system will be used on Future House USA?

There are two different types of roof on FHUSA.

On all north, east, and west facing roofs, Future House USA uses a recycled aluminum and zinc stone coated roofing system provided by a FHUSA Sponsor Decra Roofing Systems.

This system is used in conjunction with a radiant barrier attached to the underside of the roof decking which creates a unique roofing system that employs an insulating air space and reflective heat barrier to reduce attic temperatures and improve air flow.

It does not pollute storm water run off, and Decra states that the run off is pure and drinkable. Complete with over sized gutters and collection barrels.

On all south facing roof surfaces, FHUSA will employ a 10 kW photovoltaic shingle system. This setup will also include a fully concealed solar thermal system , which will produce domestic hot water, as it cools the PV cells which gives them added electric output.

What kind of HVAC system will be used in Future House USA?

This project takes full advantage of the energy stored in the soil under Future House USA with a closed loop geothermal system. Geothermal is a passive system that heats without combustion, emits no CO2 from the unit, and features the highest efficiency rating of any air conditioning available.

Climate Master is the exclusive sponsor of the FHUSA geothermal system! Design and technical assistance in heat pump specification, GSHP system design, and whole building energy analysis, was provided by Climate Master's Dr. Xiaobing Liu, Systems Engineering Manager.

Totally, the Climate Master Tranquility Series system is comprised of two TT038 and three TT012 heat pumps and the total installed tonnage is 9 ton of heating and cooling.

The 4,500 ft2 house is divided into two zones to recognize the difference of solar heat gain from the west and east side of the building. Zone 1 covers the east side of the house, including kitchen and dining, living room, and the master suite. Zone 2 covers the west side of the house, including family room, second bedroom, third and fourth bedrooms (at the second floor, which is only a small addition in the south-west corner of the house), laundry, and garage (which will be used as a souvenir shop and information center when the house is open to public). The two 3-ton water-to-air heat pumps provide both heating and cooling for the “normal mode” operation of the house (a family of 4). One 3-ton two stage water-to-air heat pump (TT038) is used for each zone.

An Energy Recovery Ventilator system (ERV) will also be incorporated to reduce heating and cooling load, adjust for fresh air requirements, and provide air filtering to minimize dust and pollen.

How many boreholes and what will their depth be?

The designed Ground Loop Heat Exchanger includes 9 boreholes laying out in a straight line. The depth of each borehole is 230 ft and the spacing among boreholes is 20 ft. The design is compliant with the IGSHPA

Can you describe "showcase mode" in which there will be three more Climate Master 1-ton geo units to accommodate high traffic.

Because FHUSA is open to the public, the FHUSA Design Team had to accommodate, perhaps 10 times the regular amount of people in a typical home. Space conditioning wise, this is accomplished with three one ton water-to-air TT012 Climate Master heat pumps, added in master suite, living room, and family room, respectively, as “Aux” to handle the “showcase mode” occupancy potentials (40 people). These are intended primarily for cooling, with each having an independent duct system.

What kind of doors?

All doors are made of non-formaldehyde (wheat straw) inner cores for enhanced indoor air quality and sustainability.

What type of windows will be used in Future House USA?

High performance, state of the art window technology will be used in FHUSA. A vinyl frame will hold window technology which reflects out 99% of the Ultra Violet Rays and provide maximum insulation and reduction from sound. Features a U value = .23.

Kitchen design?

Details coming soon....

Paints and stains?

To achieve a healthier indoor air quality, only paint primers and adhesives will be utilized with either Zero or Low VOCs within Future House USA.

What kind of flooring is to be used on this project?

Flooring to consist of Bamboo, Cork, Re-cycled Tile and / or Recycled carpeting. Because of the potential amount of traffic, floors may need replacement during the public run of Future House.

Plumbing and Fixtures?

Plumbing materials will be chosen by Future House Real Estate Company. That said solar operated motion faucets/lavatories (to reduce water consumption), using Sloan and Solis hardware. Sloan and Solis are Participating Partners in the Future House USA Project. The water closet /toilet will feature a one button 1.0 gal pressure assist system.

Foam insulated plastic water heater, energy efficient whirl pool master bath.

Are there any special paving considerations?

Driveway, sidewalks, and patio will consist of permeable pavers. These will achieve storm water filtration allowing cleaner run off into rivers, lakes, etc.

Type of insulation to be used?

Expanded Polystyrene. EPS is a very unique material, having excellent insulating qualities. It is lightweight, strong and resilient, non-corrosive, and dimensionally stable. It is one of the two fundamental components of SIP.

Exterior wall construction design?

Structurally Insulated Panels (SIPS) are used for all exterior walls as well as the roof. All area within the house is conditioned space. SIPS are also much tighter than a regular stick built house, resulting in the EPA waiving a blower door test for SIPS structures testing for the Energy Star certification.

Wiring?

State of the art wiring will take into consideration the networking needed for the latest in smart home digitalization technology. The specific features are under development at this time. Visit this FAQ for the latest in details.

Lighting?

A combination of Compact Fluorescents Light bulbs (CFL's) and LED lighting will be used through out the house. Varying temperature bulbs will be used to create a variety of lighting moods and provide a quality of illumination that will suit the function of each specific area.

Did you run energy calculations before construction?

Yes. Our energy engineer did a full pre build energy analysis from the plans. We are breaking down the data to a per person/per sf/per unit of energy read out so we could interpolate the most realistic sizing, be cognizant of tradition, and also keep within a realistic overview of consumption concerns. Generating legitimate metrics is very important to us. This is how we have been evolving our process.

Also included in the pre-engineering was a recommendation list that will put the Future House USA project right on target to comply with the latest ENERGYSTAR specifications.

What is Mr. Bialecki and company's background, and what brought him to the Future House Project?

Alternative Energy Builders built the first ENERGYSTAR Assisted Living Residence in the United States. Since then we have built in excess of 30 additional hi performance, non-toxic homes. Total utility costs in the range of $45 for 2000 sq.ft. …. home in the Midwest... and the first permeable paver street in the nation....not connected to municipal storm water. The latest included a five plex, five adjoined 1500 sf homes.

What is Dr. Tao's background?

Dr. Yong Xin Tao is a Professor and Undergraduate Program Director at the Mechanical and Materials Engineering Program at the Florida International University. An internationally known researcher in fundamentals of refrigeration system performance, he is also director of Building Energy, Environment, and Conservation Systems Labs. Having been born in China, Dr. Tao is in a unique position to see as well as facilitate these cultures coming together in a spirit of invention and co-operation together on the Future House Project.

How can an individual participate?

There are a couple of ways for an individual to participate. One way to support the project is donating to the tax deductible foundation. This donation will be applied directly to the Future House Project.

A second way of supporting the FHUSA Project is by purchasing apparel. Apparel is not tax deductible but partial proceeds will be utilized towards the Future House USA project. Please visit the online Future House USA Shop.

What is the Alternative Energy Living Foundation (AELF)?

AELF is a not-for-profit organization that provides the administrative detail for the Future House USA Project, and is leading the project as principle managing sponsor. AELF hopes with their solution based documentary featuring the process behind Future House USA, that people from around the World, including the United States, can begin to understand that the little things that can be accomplished, can indeed, when joined together, become a part of an emerging global solution.

What is Alternative Energy Builders?

AEB is a contracting company that specializes in building high performance, non-toxic, ENERGYSTAR Certified houses and assisted living centers, as is providing construction management to co-ordinate the craftsmen who will build Future House USA.

What is the role of Florida International University?

FIU is the official academic sponsor for the Future House USA Project. They are providing engineering and design assistance as well. As being a part of the Collegiate Solar Decathlon, Future House USA is very proud and honored to have FIU as the academic sponsor.

Is Future House USA seeking sponsors?

Yes, Alternative Energy Living is seeking tax deductible sponsorship participants for the Future House USA Project. AEL is committed to promoting all Future House USA Sponsors, and will provide promotional items to be distributed during the showcase period. This will provide sponsor promotion through merchandising.

Two types of sponsorship programs are available, financial sponsors and participating sponsors.

Financial sponsorship. Financial Sponsors contribute funds toward defraying design, construction, operating, and promotional costs of the Future House USA Project. In exchange for their support, financial sponsors will be acknowledged in all Future House Media releases and will have their company logos prominently displayed on promotional items.

Please write us for additional information on the Financial Sponsorship Program.

Participating Sponsorship. The Future House Project is also offering an opportunity for companies to become participating sponsors.

Participating sponsors will provide components that are employed in the construction of Future House USA, as well as financial support. Please write us for additional information on the Participating Sponsorship Program.

Is there an organized PR campaign to create exposure for the Future House Village Project?

Future House is commissioned by China’s Ministry of Construction and as a result, the Chinese government has committed to the heavy promotion and press upon the completion of the Homes. First tours of the homes will be private tours for leaders of all Chinese Ministries, international diplomatic leaders, and select heads of private businesses, providing exposure for the sponsors to other areas of Chinese leadership as well as international leaders.

Travel and touring agencies will receive announcements and incentives about Future House as a destination within the Olympic Village. Chosen sponsors will have the opportunity to place their products for purchase in the shopping center located on the Future House site in the Olympic Village. At the private Olympic opening ceremony for the media, international embassies, and diplomatic leaders in Tiananmen Square, the Future House will be announced before an anticipated 20,000 members as a main Olympic attraction.

What is the Future Plan for the Future House Project?

Future House Demonstration project is scheduled to be a part of six different cities around China. The next city to host a Future House Project is anticipated to be Shanghai, home of the 2010 World’s Fair. China’s Ministry of Construction is seeking to build similar projects on a larger scale throughout China as well as internationally, and has sought to protect the trademark “Future House” in 50 additional countries, for the purpose of potential future exposure and development outside of China.