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1 A small array of photovoltaic solar cells and a small wind turbine were mounted onto the structure to provide electricity that was stored in four car batteries. Solar space heating and domestic water heating panels were built into the surface of the south side of the structure.

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The Autonomous Dwelling

In 1978 Michael Jantzen was asked by his client Ted Bakewell to design and construct a mobile autonomous dwelling, which Bakewell could move from place to place detached from conventional utilities, while he used it as a full time residence. It was determined from the start that Jantzen would be in charge of the design and construction of the basic structure, while Bakewell would be in charge of the design and installation of the dwelling’s utilities.

Michael’s design for the structure used low cost, off the shelf, steel agricultural silo roofs as the primary shell, which was heavily insulated with spray-on foam that was covered with a finished fire proof cellulose material. The plan was to power the dwelling primarily with the sun and the wind, and to capture, store, and recycle rainwater for washing and drinking. The structure was equipped with special solar heat storage rods that were charged by the sun and used to space heat the dwelling, along with a small backup heater that used wood or waste paper as a fuel source. A small array of solar cells and a small wind turbine were used to make electricity for the dwelling. The electricity was stored in four 12-volt car batteries and used to operate super efficient lights, small fans, a small refrigerator, a small TV, and a radio.

All of the domestic water was collected off of the structure and stored in flexible bladders that were placed under the dwelling. The water used for washing and cleaning was heated by the sun and/or by a small water heated fueled by wood or waste paper. High pressure, low flow nozzles were used for all of the faucets, and for the shower. All of the gray water was recycled and reused for washing and a waterless composting toilet was installed.

Natural ventilation was used to cool the structure along with the small electric fans, and sun shades on all of the windows. In general, the design approach was to make the entire dwelling as efficient as possible so the energy consumption, and therefore the energy production, could be as low as possible and still provide for a comfortable place in which to live. Bakewell ended up living in the Autonomous Dwelling for over 5 years in St. Louis Missouri. The exterior decks and tie-downs on the structure were designed to be easily folded up for travel so the dwelling could be relocated.

Status: Built
Location: St. Louis ,MO
My Role: Chief designer and builder.
Additional Credits: Ted Bakewell client

2 The structure was held down with four earth anchors located at each corner, and exterior storage containers and roof access ladders were mounted onto both ends of the dwelling.

3 Fold down decks were attached to both sides of the structure, and the steel silo roof components were mounted onto a perimeter parapet in order to provide more headroom inside.

4 A double sliding glass door entry provided an energy efficient transition from the outside to the inside. The two interior sliding glass doors were fitted with roll down insulated shades.

5 Interior view toward the food prep and dinning area.

6 Interior view toward the sleeping and work areas.

7 The dinning table with fold out chairs. The space below the table contained solar heat storage rods for use at night and/or during cloudy weather.

8 View toward the dinning and food prep area. The silver insulated tube brought electric fan driven hot air from the exterior solar collectors into the solar heat storage rods contained under the dinning table.

9 A view of the food prep area with a highly efficient DC electric refrigerator, and a wood alcohol fueled cook stove.

10 View toward the sleeping area bed, which also contained the solar heated storage rods. In the foreground is a small removable back up wood or paper fueled space heater with a built-in exterior air feed tube.