Haven Studio is a compact, solar-powered, net-zero energy demonstration home that showcases how thoughtful design, student innovation, and sustainable materials can come together to address climate-conscious living. With its simple, iconic gabled form and bio-based construction, the home serves as both a model of accessible high-performance housing and a hands-on educational tool for the local community.
Designed and built by students, Haven Studio was conceived to demystify net-zero design and make sustainable building practices tangible and replicable. The home is wrapped in a highly insulated and meticulously air-sealed envelope, utilizing continuous timber board insulation—a renewable, bio-based alternative to foam—and cutting-edge quad-pane windows. These passive strategies drastically reduce heating and cooling demands while enhancing indoor comfort and durability.
Mechanical systems are equally efficient. A mini-split heat pump and an energy recovery ventilator (ERV) manage heating, cooling, and ventilation with minimal energy input. Because of its extremely low operational energy demand, a modest 12-panel solar array not only meets the home's annual energy needs but also generates surplus electricity. This excess power supports an adjacent building and charges electric vehicles, further amplifying the home’s environmental impact.
The home’s narrow, daylight-optimized footprint minimizes both material use and reliance on artificial lighting. Its south-facing façade is generously glazed for passive solar gain and protected by a carefully sized overhang that blocks high-angle summer sun while allowing low-angle winter light to warm the interior. In contrast, the super-insulated north façade is solid to reduce thermal bridging and energy loss.
To reduce construction waste and ensure precision, Haven Studio’s floor and wall assemblies were prefabricated. Material choices throughout prioritize bio-based, low-embodied-carbon, and/or reclaimed materials—including wood cladding, recycled cellulose insulation, and solid maple wood flooring—all selected for durability, low maintenance, and ecological responsibility.
Haven Studio is more than a structure—it is a pedagogical platform and a community resource. It demonstrates that sustainable, net-positive design is not only achievable but can also be beautiful, efficient, and rooted in local values.
Year: 2023
Location: Lawrence, Kansas
Course: Arch 509 Designbuild Studio
Instructor: Chad Kraus (Dirt Works Studio)
Location: KU Designbuild Center
Virtual Tour [Final]
Virtual Tour [Construction]
Students: Ty Adams, Michael Akanni, Anas Alghamdi, Emily Almloff, Lily Altenhofen, Yuridia Alviter-Rivera, Madison Beck, Brennen Berends, Cora Blackford, Jackson Bontty, Sarah Boyle, Jenna Bracaglia, Harleigh Brandon, Jay Clements, Ehren Coleman, Gwendolyn Comas, Luke Delehaunty, Kaitlyn Dunn, Fernando Echauri, Nicholas Einig, Brad Elpers, Claudia Frahm, Liz Fraka, Bridget Gerstner, Kodi Hayes, Alec Hendrix, Emma Herr, Eryn Herrera, Anan Hoque, Jake Hornbuckle, Andrew Jundt, Matteo Kalusha-Aguirre, Kyle Kissel, Aria Lynch, Areli Madrigal, Lauren Maloney, Crayton Maurer, Arianna Mccue, Erin Mcmahon, Reece Mehrens, Garrett Miller, Grant Miller, Sarah Moore, James Noteman, KayLee Nottestad, Maddie Parr, Clayton Cooper Plaster, Tylor Poitier, Abi Price Nakagawa, Micah Ramsay, Brenna Richart, Madison Schaefer, Tom Schotte, Graylon Sestak, Carson Sevart, Jack Shannon, Kiara Smallwood, Madison Smith, Andrew Stender, Liz Stone, Haleigh Strebe, Caleb Tatley, Erica Villamayor, Lexie Wolff
Client: KU School of Architecture and Design
Partner: DOE Solar Decathlon
Structural Engineer: Apex Engineers
MEP Engineer: Henderson Engineers
Lighting Consultant: Mercer Zimmerman
Sustainability Consultant: BNIM
Construction Consultant: Mar Lan Construction
Vendors/Sponsors: Lumber One, SunSmart Technologies, Hilti, Rothoblaas, Mitsubishi Electric, Beko, Grabill Plumbing, MBCI, Wood Haven, Timber HP / Steico, Richlite, JE Dunn Construction, Schlüter Systems, Sonoco, Simpson Strong-Tie, Lynn Electric, Tech Lighting, Clark Huesemann, Westerhouse Heating and Cooling, Hollis Miller Architects, Kohler, REW Materials, Hufft, HOK Architects, BRR, Prosoco, Build Smart, Midwest Concrete Materials, Hoke Ley, Cellulose Material Solutions, Royal Metal Industries, Slaggie Architects, Sabatini Architects, Hunter Douglas Architectural, Spectrum Paint, Cooper Lighting, Logan Contractors Supply
Media:
"Off to the Races—Announcing the Solar Decathlon 2022 Design Challenge and 2023 Build Challenge Teams!"
"Dirt Works solving problems in Solar Decathlon Build Challenge"
"2023 Build Challenge Teams - Solar Decathlon"
"KU students building zero energy house"
"KU architecture students are finalists in international competition to build zero-energy home"
"Estudiantes De KU Participan En El Solar Decathlon Con Vivienda De Energía Cero"