Basic Spatial Program | Sustainability Criteria and Features

LaHouse is a home and landscape resource center of the LSU AgCenter located on university property in Baton Rouge, La. It showcases and teaches a range of solutions that address national and Louisiana challenges. Its goal is to stimulate consumer demand and industry adoption of sustainable, "high performance" housing and landscapes.

The fully developed site is envisioned to include a showcase house, environmental landscapes with trails, porous "green" parking, an outdoor pavilion and a future exhibition hall with larger meeting space – all with explanatory signage. Each will showcase a variety of advantageous products, systems and technologies – not just one way to achieve the LaHouse criteria.

The following is a description of basic features and components exhibited in the house. More detailed descriptive signage is on site.

Basic Spatial Program Typical size new house – approx. 2,300 sq. ft. living area downstairs, 3,000 sq.ft. if upstairs living area included Partial two-story (over a segment of house) No level changes on first story (between rooms, sections, porches, etc.) House layout in definable sections, each with a different building systems Main entry and interior layout can accommodate flow of tour groups Screened porch and shaded rear porch or deck Front exterior access storage (for package delivery and storm preparedness) 1st story – for public touring 2 BR, 2 baths Open planning, great room (living, dining) Dual-cook kitchen w/island or peninsula; largely open to great room Laundry room Home "telecommuting" office (to be used as resource center) 2nd story Upstairs “bedrooms, etc.” to serve as office space for 3-4 staff Walk-in storage space for publications, etc. Exhibit area to show cutaways, wall sections, etc. Garage Detached "garage" (classroom), connected to house by covered breezeway Fourth building system, slab on grade (fill to raise grade to base flood elevation) Generous 2-car capacity, plus integrated “storeroom” exterior appearance; interior conditioned (different HVAC) and equipped for: Classroom Men's & women's public restrooms (interior) Storage space and refreshment space Barrier-free access to house and between house and garage/classroom Target Market Mainstream move-up market Average household size (4 people) Adaptable for both urban and rural markets Range of features (some for custom, spec home and remodeling markets) Architectural Style Timeless (not trendy) Reflects LSU architectural flavor Appealing and attractive to various income levels, but not exclusionary Features for custom, spec home and remodeling markets Reflects climate zone Consistent with all LaHouse criteria (does not violate any criteria)

Sustainability Criteria and Features Resource-efficient Energy-efficient design and construction (EnergyStar certified) Passive solar orientation and features (front facing N or S) for BR climate zone Minimized solar heat gain (shading, solar reflectance, etc.) is first priority Winter efficiency and natural ventilation for mild seasons Tight construction, controlled ventilation with efficient dehumidification Insulation systems with good “whole wall” R-values High-efficiency HVAC in conditioned space or in unvented, insulated attic Zoned heating/cooling for day and night zones Low-life-cycle-cost equipment and lighting: high-color fluorescents, controlled daylighting, high-efficiency appliances, etc. Water-conserving systems, equipment Rainwater harvesting into cisterns for irrigation; appropriate roofing No oversized whirlpool tubs; low-flow fixtures Waste management systems and features Modular planning (minimizing construction/material waste) Suitable recycled and recyclable materials Adaptable spaces Recycling, sorting center (for home trash) Pollution prevention and ecosystem protection Water-quality protection: Sanitary sewer system alternatives Stormwater management/runoff reduction Permeable paving alternatives Shift toward renewable resources (as cost-effective) Use of locally produced resources (minimize transportation inputs) Suitable ozone-friendly materials Minimized use of toxic substances Durable Multi-hazard resistance Elevated above flood hazard House elevated to BFE +3 Garage at BFE +1, slab on grade; use of dry floodproofing to BFE +3 Parts of house elevated via: slab cap on back-fill within perimeter foundation wall pier foundation stemwall crawl space with required openings (NFIP regulations) Wet-floodproofing demo areas (use of flood-resistant materials and installations, elevated equipment, etc.) Hurricane and tornado resistant hip and reinforced gable roof segments (hip on house, gable on shed) engineered overhangs (no cantilevers) hurricane straps and clips storm shutters on some windows, some laminated glass Safe room for severe weather Freeze-resistant (water heater on ground floor, plumbing within insulated perimeter) Fire-resistant construction and multi-hazard warning system Hail damage-resistant materials Pest resistance Design and detailed for ease of inspection and detection; no wood left in ground, etc. No untreated structural wood (use borate-treated wood and foam insulation, alternative materials) Decay resistance Continuous drainage plane in walls, capillary breaks Overhangs, proper flashings, simple roof design, decay resistant materials Long-lasting materials, equipment Health Universal design Safe, functional throughout lifecycle, but does not look institutional Easily adaptable to changing needs "Visitable" - wheelchair accessible clearances, thresholds, master bath ADA ramp at entry; integrated into design Good indoor air quality Controlled ventilation with efficient dehumidification (maintain 40%-60% RH) Building systems that prevent hidden mold No unvented combustion Detached garage Low VOC/irritant materials as practical; limited use of wall-to-wall carpeting Integrated pest management Control with minimum use of pesticides Practicality Cost-effective materials, technologies, systems (or soon to be) Life-cycle cost basis Considers risk management benefits (natural hazards, future energy prices, etc.) Locally available materials and services (“off the shelf”) as much as possible Considers labor availability, skills, learning curve or reduces construction time Marketable to mainstream Louisiana consumers Appearance, safety, proper use, etc. not a deterrent to adoption in the marketplace Good resale potential Convenience Family friendly and functional floorplan Efficient workflows, traffic paths (kitchen, laundry, etc.) Ample, adaptable and convenient storage space Low maintenance, outside and inside Advanced wiring, for information technology Networking and integration; home office equipped for telecommuting Ready for smart appliances, automation, etc. Security and system management Adaptable spaces and systems for changing user needs