The New Norris House project is a design/build effort from the University of Tennessee. Begun in the fall of 2008, an interdisciplinary team of faculty and students (led by the College of Architecture and Design) has recently completed the construction of the home.

This blog will focus on phase IV of the project-- an on going qualitative evaluation and quantitative energy monitoring effort. Two live-in researchers have moved into the home and will be sharing their experiences in the home and life in historic Norris, Tennessee.

In addition, two graduate research assistants will be sharing their thoughts as they focus their time on data collection and energy/water use. Partnering with Oak Ridge National Laboratory, the home has been outfitted with a sophisticated energy monitoring system. Furthermore, to compliment rainwater and grey-water efforts, water quality and quantity will be monitored as well. 

This research will be taking place over the course of the next year, at which time our team should have a very clear picture of the impact and [hopeful] successes of the completed work. Please check back frequently for updates about what is going on with our efforts!

Thanks for reading!

(To learn more about the project, please read our brief below and visit our website.)
www.thenewnorrishouse.com
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Project Brief
In 1933 the Tennessee Valley Authority constructed a model community, Norris, Tennessee, as part of the Norris Dam construction project. A key feature of this New Deal village was the Norris House, a series of homes built as models for modern and efficient living. In light of the 75th anniversary of the Norris Project, an evolving interdisciplinary team of UT students and faculty are reinterpreting the Norris paradigm and creating a New Norris House - a sustainable home designed for the 21st century. In 2009 the New Norris House was one of six winners nationally of the Environmental Protection Agency’s People Prosperity and the Planet (P3) Competition. It offers a replicable model for contemporary sustainable living that holds the promise of significant benefit across East Tennessee.

As with the original Norris designs, the New Norris House uses state of the art technologies and techniques. The house incorporates green materials, leverages energy conscious design strategies, and utilizes off-site construction methods. Yet the challenge goes beyond the creation of a model home design. The house design responds and is reforming community and legal constraints that currently deter sustainable home construction. To accomplish this, students consult with community residents, research local codes and work with local and state government. The project also addresses affordability and “fit” in light of median home prices and the town’s status on the National Register Historic District. Students thus confront and resolve not only technological or scientific challenges; but also legal, social, and aesthetic issues that currently restrict green construction. The New Norris House is registered with the US Green Building Council as part of its LEED for Homes program, and projects achievement of a LEED for Homes platinum rating. If successful, it will be the 1st Platinum project built by the University of Tennessee.