Efficient.   Practical.   Essential.

Efficient. Practical. Essential. The INhome (short for Indiana home) features efficient systems and sustainable design without sacrificing modern comforts and amenities. The INhome is a fully functional, yet practical net-zero energy home designed for a typical Midwestern consumer in today’s cost-competitive residential market. With the depletion of natural resources and increasing use of energy worldwide, efficient home design is essential to our country’s energy security and future prosperity. The INhome is one vision for future residential housing. Team Purdue encourages you to use these efficient, practical, and essential ideas, "From INhome to YOURhome". (Roll over the icons on the map to view more information)

The private core includes a master bedroom and office. A notable design feature of the master bedroom is the access to a west-facing porch, where homeowners can peacefully watch the sunset together. The master bedroom also includes direct access to the full bathroom for privacy. The office was designed with consideration of a growing young family in mind. Direct access to a private north porch is ideal for relaxation.

The mechanical core houses the plumbing, HVAC, and controlled systems. The design minimizes connection points and materials by housing the systems close together, thus creating a more efficient design. This core features a biowall, which filters the air through the utilization of plants. A full bathroom completes the mechanical core and includes two sinks allowing multiple occupants to utilize the space simultaneously.

The public core was designed to allow interaction between occupants in multiple spaces. An open floor plan between the living room, dining room, and kitchen areas makes the home feel larger while facilitating a comfortable and inviting space. The vaulted ceilings add to the grandeur of the public core by opening up the space vertically.

INhome's exterior structure is comprised of Structural Insulated Panels (SIPS), which provide several benefits in comparison to traditional wood-framed construction. SIPS provide superior insulated properties and prevent unwanted air leakage, resulting in a well-sealed construction.

One practical method to make solar powered residences a reality and cost-effective is to rely on passive systems. Passive design utilizes natural processes for heating, cooling, and lighting. In order to benefit from passive daylighting, the INhome is designed to face south, maximizing sunlight exposure. Passive air ventilation from a mixture of automated and manual windows provides cooling when needed. Passive heating design helps to maintain indoor temperatures during the winter without relying on energy usage from the HVAC system.