The challenge of the Science House at the Science Museum of Minnesota was to create habitable architecture in a cold climate that would become a net energy producer by using an integrated photovoltaic (PV) roof system to generate excess energy on an annual basis. The consulting team used science to exert an authoritative influence when and where architectural issues were resolved—at the intersections of functional use, aesthetic expression and technological ability. In order to meet its goal as a zero emissions project, the building needed to reduce annual energy consumption requirements below 30 kBTUs per square foot, which is equal to less than 10,000 kWh per year. The defining question became “how much building can we build and generate power for with the given budget?” Design of the project was completed in 2002 with construction completed in 2003.

Features and Results

• Southern exposure for passive solar heating
• A protected and earth sheltered northern exposure
• A "tuned" fenestration design which optimally balances conduction loss, solar gain and daylight
• High quality, bilateral daylighting for the entire floor area
• An unconditioned vestibule “tower” with natural ventilation
• Site landscaping to buffer northern winds in the winter and shade the south plaza in summer