Design Manifesto - Assignment Example

 A dream home is exactly as it sounds, “a dream”. A dream home has exactly what someone is looking for and meets every need. These needs are met on many different levels. A dream home must meet one’s needs on a spiritual level, bring happiness, create comfort and reflect one’s personal core values. In order for a dream home to meet all of these needs it has to be perfect. In my eyes, a dream home is appealing as soon as it can be seen. The entrance way is beautiful but also easy on the eye to create a sense of calmness upon entering. From the entrance a sense of happiness is created and this happiness is emitted onto everyone who enters. Cool white tones are used to bring serenity. (Baltz, MaryShapera, Patricia Romero1997) The inside of my dream home contains earthly elements such as real wood, metals and organic fabrics. Chemicals used to build the home contain low VOC’s in order to ensure healthy indoor air quality. The home contains an air purification system so that the air inside is fresh at all times.”Air ventilation is vital to a healthy home” (Seppänen, O A, and W J Fisk 2004) Many safety systems are put in place to prevent disaster and plan for escape when necessary. Knowing all of the safety issues and healthy changes are implemented allows the mind to continue to relax while being in the home. My dream home is a perfect example of serenity that reflects my core values. Being able to relax in a peaceful setting allows for the ability to let that peace transcend into other areas such as work and community interaction. Concept Design Part II Ski Dream Home 2007Park City Night Life The concept behind the dream home is to create a sense of happiness and peace, as well as a place to call home that can out stand the test of time. In order for this to be achieved the home must be located in a rural area. The home is located on a small plot of land just outside of a mid west city. Being located in the Midwest allows the ability to observe all four seasons and the happiness associated with each. The fall foliage in the Midwest is a beautiful site. (PR, Newswire 2011) The land houses many trees but much room for needed sunshine. There is a small body of water nearby that can be used for recreation. The land is located close enough to town so that city sewer, water, gas and electric are allowed to be used. Although close to town, the site is still far enough away to stay rural and enjoyable. Some of the resources that come from the city are able to be used in the form of sustainable energy. Water is able to be recycled when needed as well as the use of electricity to cool the house in the summer in the form of sustainable air conditioning. Food is a key feature located on site at the dream home. A large greenhouse attached to the home allows for the growing of fresh fruits, vegetables and herbs. In order to ensure freshness the greenhouse has many windows that allow for warmth from the sun. Solar panels are used to store energy to provide light on days that are cloudy. A recycled rain water system is put in place outside of the greenhouse. This recycled rain water system allows for the watering of the plants with water that nature has provided even thought the plants are located in a greenhouse and cannot naturally receive rain water. The water collected is kept in a storage container that is like a huge cylinder. The storage container is filled while it rains and then stored for later use. A specific area located in the home off of the greenhouse contains all of the necessary elements needed to prepare and store the food for the winter months. This area has a sink, large counter to work from and many labeled storage areas. The best way to describe this area would be like a huge pantry where food is able to be prepared. A second key feature that is very important to the dream home is the use of an air conditioning system that uses the least amount of energy possible. This air conditioning system is known as thermal energy storage. Thermal energy storage allows the home to sustainably cool during the day and conserve energy at night while temperatures are cooler. This reduces the need to use a traditional unit during peak energy times such as the hottest point of the day. How this works exactly is by the installation of a system that is able to freeze ice like a freezer. Once the water turns into ice by night, the ice is then melted during the day. The melting of the ice lets off cool air that is transferred throughout the home through the home venting system. Fans blow the air from the melting ice and the home is cooled. This type of system is important when trying to sustain as much energy as possible. Not only do thermal energy storage systems save energy and money, but it is also better for the environment and an important necessity for a dream home. The third key feature located within the dream home is the heating units. Heating units use natural gas that is obtained from private sources. The natural gas used heats the home like traditional homes but allows for the use of different temperatures in each room. Each room is able to set a specific temperature. This is important since the size of the home is so large. If one portion is not being used then the heat does not have to be so high in that portion of the house. There are several fireplaces located in the home that are able to heat two rooms at once. The fireplaces are located on interior walls and run on natural gas. The natural gas fireplaces are able to provide a safe form of heat that serves more than one purpose. Natural stone surrounds the fireplaces to bring in a sense of the outside. This goes hand in hand with the theme of the dream home and the ability to bring the outside in, which adds to creating a serene environment. Fans are used to help regulate the amount of heat that is emitted from each side of the fireplace to control each rooms comfort setting and the temperature each room has. This saves energy as it allows each room to be personally controlled. References Seppänen, O A, and W J Fisk. "Summary Of Human Responses To Ventilation." Indoor Air 14 Suppl 7.(2004): 102-118. MEDLINE with Full Text. Web. 8 Nov. 2011 Anderson, Sara. "How To Make Your Home Feel Serene." Redbook 199.4 (2002): 141. MasterFILE Premier. Web. 8 Nov. 2011. Baltz, MaryShapera, Patricia Romero. "The Serene Beauty Of A Winter White Home." Victoria 11.1 (1997): 46. MasterFILE Premier. Web. 8 Nov. 2011. Ski Dream Home Photo. Park City Night Life. Women’s Ski Jumping Team (2007) www.parkcityvoyeur.com PR, Newswire. "Celebrate Autumn in Door County, WI with Festivals, Foodie Tours & Fall Foliage." PR Newswire US 06 Oct. 2011: Regional Business News. Web. 8 Nov. 2011. "05/00729 Modeling Of Energy Distribution Inside Greenhouse Using Concept Of Solar Fraction With And Without Reflecting Surface On North Wall." Fuel And Energy Abstracts 46.2 (2005): 107-108. ScienceDirect. Web. 8 Nov. 2011. Cama, R. "Furniture Factor. Choose Wisely. It's A Big Part Of The Interior Design Equation." Health Facilities Management 13.5 (2000): 34-35. MEDLINE with Full Text. Web. 8 Nov. 2011. Catinella, Rita F. "A Cleaner Gas Fireplace Design." Architectural Record 192.1 (2004): 186. Academic Search Complete. Web. 8 Nov. 2011. Additional Key Features Photos Recycled Rainwater System http://green-living-made-easy.com/rainwater-harvesting-systems.html Thermal Energy Storage Unit http://www.openenergy.com.au/images/thermal_storage_unit.jpg Double Fireplace http://www.specifier.com.au/directory/Fireplaces/2415/Real-Flame.html Read More