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Throughout the Natural Fusion project, renewable, recyclable, and eco-friendly
materials were researched and selected when appropriate. Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) was used to compare materials and products basedon environmental criteria. In LCA, a products life cycle is analyzed from the raw material acquisition and manufacturing, to its transportation, installation, performance, and disposal or re-use. Following LCA considerations, the Natural Fusion home was designed to reduce the negative environmental impacts associated with the construction of a new residence, while keeping in mind the Solar Decathlon regulations, transportation requirements, the target market, and the project budget.Natural Fusion incorporates environmentally conscious and energy efficient materials and technologies, from reclaimed wood flooring and zero VOC paint to phase change materials and water storage for thermal mass. The collaboration between architects, engineers, and industry partners in choosing the materials resulted in the creative integration of form and function in a viable green home.
LCA Report, by Joelle Buczynski, Materials Project Manager (PDF 640 KB) Penn State SD2009 Project Manual - #3 Construction Specifications (PDF 1.3 MB) |
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