Prefabricating Charles Moore: Reinterpreted Saddlebags and Aedicules

Inspired by Charles Moore’s strategy of the use Saddlebags and Aedicule elementsin residential design, this paper describes a design proposal for theretrofit of existing houses in a traditional suburban neighborhood with prefabricatedRenewable Energy and/or Efficient Modules (REEMs). The conceptionand design of the modules is a response to two concerns:A 62% increase, between 1978 and 2005, in energy consumption inthree of the primary components of residential energy demand: WaterHeating, Air Conditioning, and Appliances and Electronics. Recent dataon changes in total energy use in U. S. homes between 1978 and 2005indicates that a number of factors (e.g., Federal energy efficiency standardsfor major appliances, improved energy efficiency of heating equipment,better window design, better insulation) have led to a reduction inenergy use per household of 31%. Notably, while the number of occupiedhousing units has increased by 45%, total energy use in homes hasremained constant (10.58 quadrillion BTU in 1978 compared to 10.55quadrillion BTU in 2005). Unfortunately, the dramatic 38% reductionin energy consumption for Space Heating has been largely offset by increasesin consumption in three areas: Water Heating, Air Conditioning,and Appliances and Electronics. Given the increase in the number ofhouseholds with dishwashers and with central air conditioning, it is notsurprising that the 2005 energy consumption for Water Heating and AirConditioning was 3.0 quadrillion BTU, an increase of 62% over 1978energy consumption levels.The significant number of existing energy inefficient homes constructedprior to 2000. According to the 2009 American Housing Survey NationalTables, there are 73M occupied single family detached housingunits in the United States: in excess of 60M of those units were constructedbefore 2000. While improvements in the construction of buildingenvelopes, more efficient energy standards, and the development ofrenewable energy systems for new residential construction are laudable,it is evident that some means must be found for reducing energy use inolder homes in order to reduce residential energy consumption in thedecades ahead.Prefabricated Renewable Energy and/or Efficient systems are proposed asan effective means for reducing energy consumption in existing houses.These systems, comprised of (1) an array of Renewable Energy buildingskin systems (e.g., Solar PV, Solar Thermal and even solar thermal air preheaters)and (2) Renewable Energy and/or Efficient Modules (REEMs), aredesigned to decrease energy consumption—either by adding renewable energycapability and/or having more efficient energy systems. The prefabricatedmodules contain the equipment and components necessary to augmentand/or replace the existing energy systems of the house. When a southernexposure is not available, the REEMs will focus strictly on energy efficiencyby using high performance tankless hot water heaters and fully integratedultra-high efficiency HVAC units. Regardless of whether the REEM is fittedwith Renewable Energy capability, all modules will take advantage of highlyefficient energy systems which are fully integrated into the module structureand require only electrical, plumbing, duct-work, and natural gas hookups.A primary design challenge for the retrofit is the successful integration of southfacing building skin systems and REEMs (typically mounted on a concreteslab-on-grade and connected to the existing building energy systems throughan exterior wall) in houses constructed in the United States in the 1950s,60s, and 70s.The significance of the project, as distinguished from those proposals that focuson new construction, is the demonstration of a variety of design strategiesfor reducing residential energy consumption by retrofitting existing houses withmass-produced Renewable Energy and/or Efficient systems.

Volume Editors
John Quale, Rashida Ng & Ryan E. Smith

ISBN
978-0-935502-85-5