College of Architecture & Design

OverviewA New Norris House, an award-winning model

for efficient and sustainable living, reflects

the collaboration of students and faculty

from design, planning, environmental studies

and engineering programs at the University

of Tennessee, Knoxville. It is inspired by

the Town of Norris, a progressive New Deal

Era village and one of the nation’s first

planned communities.

Heralding the enterprising legacy of Norris, the

innovative house and landscape incorporate

green materials, water- and energy-conscious

design strategies, and prefabricated

construction methods. These earned it the

LEED for Homes Platinum Certification, the

highest standard buildings can earn from the

U.S. Green Building Council.

01

The University of Tennessee, Knoxville

NEW NORRISHOUSE

comfort zone

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

110

120

-18

-10

-5

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100

Tem

pera

ture

(F)

Tem

pera

ture

(C)

Relative Humidity (%)

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

partial passive solar heating

full passive solar heating, 1700 Btu/ft2,d

natural ventilation

DesignDemonstrating how modern,

sustainable architecture can be

sensitively integrated into a historic

town like Norris, the team confronted

and resolved the technological

challenges and legal, social and

aesthetic issues presently limiting

the widespread adoption of green

design and construction.

BuildThe New Norris House acknowledges the

tradition and innovation in design of the original

Norris cottages. The team partnered with

Clayton Homes, the nation’s leading producer

of manufactured and modular homes, to

design and assemble the 1008 ft2 home in two

prefabricated modules that were transported

and installed on a residential street in Norris.

The result is a house that is fully adapted into

its community and representative of forward-

thinking, contemporary design.

EvaluateOver 50 sensors record data on energy, water

use and environmental performance, and

treated water quality. Preliminary analysis

indicates a 56% reduction in average energy

consumption. The house also uses 60% less

potable water than the average home and

landscape in the Southeastern United States.

01

02

03

INTEGRATED DESIGN

PROCESS

Architecture The team pursued an integrated, holistic approach to design, which mirrored and

drew upon Clayton Homes’ vertically integrated design and production team, and

the multidisciplinary 1930’s model of the Tennessee Valley Authority. Students

learned to organize, delegate and communicate effectively across disciplines and

to leverage ideas, expertise, time and money to make the house a reality.

Interior Design Constrained by the adoption of the original Norris cottage size and form, the

design of the interior exhibits reduced square footage without compromising

spaciousness and livability. Natural materials, textures, color, and handcrafted

details contribute to an inviting space that meets contemporary living needs.

Landscape Design Landscape design students incorporated sustainable site design strategies to

create a multi-functional, productive landscape that enriches the lives of both

the homeowners and Norris community members. The landscape creates a place

for human enjoyment while providing a milieu for ecological processes such as

rainwater infiltration, soil regeneration, and habitat production.

01

02

03

INTEGRATEDDESIGN TEAM

Community Access The Town of Norris is centered on a common green with commercial,

educational, and spiritual amenities within walking distance of its clustered homes.

The historic plan supports lifestyles that emphasize walking and cycling. The

house is within a half mile of schools, a grocery store, a library, a café, a post office,

and a bank. The site design reconstitutes a stone path linking the home to the

original network of town paths, communal spaces and a forest preserve.

Overview A New Norris House is the 10th LEED-

Platinum project in the State of Tennessee,

and the first LEED-platinum project for UT

Knoxville and the College of Architecture

and Design. Its efficiency is evident in the

building, site, water, energy, atmosphere and

materials use. Its connection to the local

environment and community is accompanied

by the technical achievements seen in its

rainwater collection and treatment system,

extensive planned landscape, efficient

heating and cooling systems, and abundance

of environmentally friendly materials.

Water Catchment The primary cistern uses UV and carbon filtration to treat rainwater collected

from the roof. At capacity, this cistern overflows to a second cistern for garden

irrigation and bio-retention beds. If similar strategies were applied throughout

the town, the municipality could reduce its consumption of potable water by 25

million gallons per year—an amount equivalent to 34 Olympic pools.

Energy The building envelope is tight, well insulated and capable of passively resisting

most external temperature fluctuations. Its high ceilings and concealed loft shutter

promote stack ventilation and further extend the house’s comfort zone. A solar

hotwater panel produces the majority of the home’s hot water. A thermostatically-

controlled, tankless hot water heater boosts temperatures when necessary.

01

02

03

LEEDPLATINUM

MATERIALS

01

04

02

05

03

06

01

Framing

Sustainable Forest Initiative Certified

Regional: Greenville, NC (461 miles)

02

Roofing

Englert standing seam metal roof

Made of 99% recycled material

03

Siding

Atlantic White Cedar

Regional: Roanoke, VA (237 miles)

04

Paints and Coatings

KILZ 2 Low VOC Latex Primer

SHW PROMAR® 200 Zero VOC Interior

05

Foundation

General Shale Concrete Masonry

CEMEX Masonry Cement

Regional: Knoxville, TN (30 miles)

06

Gypsum (Interior Walls & Ceilings)

90% recycled content

Regional: Bridgeport, AL (163 miles)

Left

Flooring

Reclaimed White Oak

Regional: Stanford, KY (127 miles)

EXTERIORSustainability is addressed throughout the

exterior. The house features a ventilated rain-

screen facade that prevents decay caused by

trapped moisture. Its airspace, combined with

external and internal insulation, reduces heat

transfer. The house’s natural, durable materials,

which will improve with time and weathering, fit

within the historic context of Norris.

The design of the house’s shell is adapted to

the manufacturing process of Clayton Homes.

Offsite shell construction and panelized,

prefabricated modular units show a 70%

diversion of construction waste. Advanced

framing techniques demonstrate a 17.5%

reduction in lumber, increased insulation,

and decreased thermal bridging.

UT students produced the decks, canopies,

windows and doors offsite, and installed the

siding and landscape elements onsite. The

construction became a community project

that utilized the talents and resources of

the university, professional community,

and neighborhood.

Section Through Kitchen, Loft

01 Bedroom

02 Kitchen

03 Loft

04 Ventilation Shutter

05 Solar Hot Water Panels

06 Mech/Waste

INTERIORThe house was designed as an extension of public activity,

while providing a retreat from the compact urbanism of Norris.

The shared entertainment areas, such as the living room,

kitchen and office space, are equipped with large windows

that offer views of the neighborhood and open to a semi-

private rear deck. The bedroom, bathroom, and loft are

located directly off of these public spaces.

High rafters and a continuous, double-ridge beam were

designed to eliminate collar ties and to create a roomy,

vaulted interior. Built-in cabinetry in the kitchen, swing space,

and bedroom are treated as furniture rather than an enclosed

space. They hide appliances and offer storage to make more

room for living. The ladder-accessed loft and swing space

serve as additional sleeping and working areas.

The house’s spatiality is largely the result of lighting studies.

The team executed and evaluated techniques to maximize

the effective use of daylighting. This informed the team’s

placement and design of glazing areas and exterior shading

devices. Skylights were also sized and placed to maximize

impact and limit solar gain. The lighting in the home, as an

effect, is optimal no matter the time of day or year.

Folding Chair Designed by UT students, this chair is made of oak plywood with a rubbed beeswax finish. By folding the chair and sliding the two units

together, a queen bed is formed allowing both compacted use and the accommodation of a functional guest sleeping space.

2013 Top Ten Green Project of the American Institute of Architects and the Committee on the Environment

2013 Design Build Award from the Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture

2012 Award of Excellence American from the American Institute of Architects Tennessee

2012 Residential Architect Design Award of Merit in Single-Family Housing

2012 Design Award in New Modular Home Design from the Manufactured Housing Institute, National Industry Awards

2012 Design Award of Merit from the American Institute of Architects Gulf States

2011 National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) Prize for Creative Integration of Research & Practice

2009 P3 Award, Environmental Protection Agency Sustainable Design Competition

Images credited to Ken McCown

AWARDS