SubscribeSign In
Earth tone tiles back a Kohler sink at this energy efficient home in Davis, California. The backsplash is from Heath Ceramics, the sink is Kohler, and the custom millwork is by Schmidt's Cabinetry.
Earth tone tiles back a Kohler sink at this energy efficient home in Davis, California. The backsplash is from Heath Ceramics, the sink is Kohler, and the custom millwork is by Schmidt's Cabinetry.
Fit by Honda from $15,425 automobiles.honda.com The compact Fit achieves 27 MPG in the city and 33 MPG on the highway.
Fit by Honda from $15,425 automobiles.honda.com The compact Fit achieves 27 MPG in the city and 33 MPG on the highway.
Adele Chang and Mark Rohling of Pasadena firm Lim Chang Rohling & Associates designed the house, which is three times more water efficient than a typical house hold. The garden is xeriscaped and irrigated with graywater. The garden is also a source of energy for the residence. "We worked with the UC Davis Western Cooling Efficiency Center to design an experimental ground-source radiant heating and cooling system that captures thermal energy from eight boreholes in the garden," Koenig says. "This type of borehole has the promise of dramatically reducing the cost of geothermal HVAC systems in the future." This video explains the mechanics and "thermal heart" of the home.
Adele Chang and Mark Rohling of Pasadena firm Lim Chang Rohling & Associates designed the house, which is three times more water efficient than a typical house hold. The garden is xeriscaped and irrigated with graywater. The garden is also a source of energy for the residence. "We worked with the UC Davis Western Cooling Efficiency Center to design an experimental ground-source radiant heating and cooling system that captures thermal energy from eight boreholes in the garden," Koenig says. "This type of borehole has the promise of dramatically reducing the cost of geothermal HVAC systems in the future." This video explains the mechanics and "thermal heart" of the home.
In the powder room, the vanity surface is Silestone, the sink is Kohler, and the faucet is Brizo. The drawer pulls are from Siro designs. An instant hot water system from Eemax was installed.
In the powder room, the vanity surface is Silestone, the sink is Kohler, and the faucet is Brizo. The drawer pulls are from Siro designs. An instant hot water system from Eemax was installed.
Lighting throughout the house is exclusively solid-state LED and was developed to complement the body’s natural circadian rhythm. "This technology is also used on the international space station," Koenig says. "Blue-ish hues are emitted in the morning, and amber tones are emitted at night. Honda worked with researchers from the California Lighting Technology Center at UC Davis to explore the circadian color control logic."
Lighting throughout the house is exclusively solid-state LED and was developed to complement the body’s natural circadian rhythm. "This technology is also used on the international space station," Koenig says. "Blue-ish hues are emitted in the morning, and amber tones are emitted at night. Honda worked with researchers from the California Lighting Technology Center at UC Davis to explore the circadian color control logic."
The side patio doubles as a parking spot for a custom-built 1970 Honda CB750.
The side patio doubles as a parking spot for a custom-built 1970 Honda CB750.
In the West Village neighborhood of Davis, a college town located 15 miles west of Sacramento, teams at Honda and UC Davis kitted out a 1,945-square-foot, three-bedroom, two-and-a-half-bathroom house with experimental and on-the-market technology to accomplish net-zero energy consumption. With smart home concepts continuing to build momentum, the definition is steadily becoming refined but is still open to interpretation. "Although smart-home demos often focus on gadgets, the 'smart' in Honda Smart Home refers to an intense focus on energy efficiency, energy management, and sustainability," says project leader Michael Koenig.
In the West Village neighborhood of Davis, a college town located 15 miles west of Sacramento, teams at Honda and UC Davis kitted out a 1,945-square-foot, three-bedroom, two-and-a-half-bathroom house with experimental and on-the-market technology to accomplish net-zero energy consumption. With smart home concepts continuing to build momentum, the definition is steadily becoming refined but is still open to interpretation. "Although smart-home demos often focus on gadgets, the 'smart' in Honda Smart Home refers to an intense focus on energy efficiency, energy management, and sustainability," says project leader Michael Koenig.
UC Davis has been leading the way in net-zero construction and energy research for years. Recognizing that homes and cars are responsible for just shy of half of carbon dioxide emissions in the United States, the project is a foray into how automobiles can factor into the efficiency equation. "UC Davis and the Davis community have launched some of the most innovative housing models in the country, from cooperative housing to solar villages to zero-net-energy at the neighborhood scale," says Bob Segar, UC Davis Assistant Vice Chancellor, Campus Planning and Community Resources. "The next entry is the Honda Smart Home—it's showing how the electric car can be managed as your house's biggest appliance." The house features a 9.5kW solar array, which produces direct current. The charger was adapted to accept power directly from the panels without any conversion loss.
UC Davis has been leading the way in net-zero construction and energy research for years. Recognizing that homes and cars are responsible for just shy of half of carbon dioxide emissions in the United States, the project is a foray into how automobiles can factor into the efficiency equation. "UC Davis and the Davis community have launched some of the most innovative housing models in the country, from cooperative housing to solar villages to zero-net-energy at the neighborhood scale," says Bob Segar, UC Davis Assistant Vice Chancellor, Campus Planning and Community Resources. "The next entry is the Honda Smart Home—it's showing how the electric car can be managed as your house's biggest appliance." The house features a 9.5kW solar array, which produces direct current. The charger was adapted to accept power directly from the panels without any conversion loss.
The kitchen features polished-concrete floors, a Cambria countertop, and an Energy-Star rated refrigerator from Kitchen Aid. The cooktop, oven, and dishwasher are from Bosch. "With the exception of the experimental technologies, everything we’ve used is available off the shelf," Koenig says. "What really sets this project apart is that we’ve put all the pieces together. Everyone out there building a home should start with passive design and a well-insulated envelope."
The kitchen features polished-concrete floors, a Cambria countertop, and an Energy-Star rated refrigerator from Kitchen Aid. The cooktop, oven, and dishwasher are from Bosch. "With the exception of the experimental technologies, everything we’ve used is available off the shelf," Koenig says. "What really sets this project apart is that we’ve put all the pieces together. Everyone out there building a home should start with passive design and a well-insulated envelope."
Among the more interesting inclusions in the book's “Salvaged” category is Jay Nelson’s Honda Civic camper. The fine woodwork shaping the arched living space provides a striking contrast to the vehicle below.
Among the more interesting inclusions in the book's “Salvaged” category is Jay Nelson’s Honda Civic camper. The fine woodwork shaping the arched living space provides a striking contrast to the vehicle below.
Beginning this fall, the house will be occupied by someone from the UC Davis community. For more on the project, visit hondasmarthome.com.
Beginning this fall, the house will be occupied by someone from the UC Davis community. For more on the project, visit hondasmarthome.com.
Sustainable materials feature prominently in the design. "We focused on using sustainable materials wherever possible," Koenig says. "The entire house is constructed with FSC-certified lumber. Concrete is very CO2 intensive, so we used volcanic ash to replace half the cement needed for the foundation slab. And rather than cover the slab with wood, we polished it to create a beautiful, durable finish."
Sustainable materials feature prominently in the design. "We focused on using sustainable materials wherever possible," Koenig says. "The entire house is constructed with FSC-certified lumber. Concrete is very CO2 intensive, so we used volcanic ash to replace half the cement needed for the foundation slab. And rather than cover the slab with wood, we polished it to create a beautiful, durable finish."
Sou Fujimoto collaborated with Honda on this high-tech home that integrates energy generation systems with the living space and family car. Solar roof panels charge the batteries on this electric vehicle parked in the light-filled living room.
Sou Fujimoto collaborated with Honda on this high-tech home that integrates energy generation systems with the living space and family car. Solar roof panels charge the batteries on this electric vehicle parked in the light-filled living room.
The house uses about half as much energy as a conventional residence in the area. Over the course of a year, it is projected to produce 2.6 megawatt-hours of energy while a comparable home will consume 13.3 megawatt-hours. "This offsets nearly 13,100 pounds of CO2 annually," Koenig says. "Plus, it uses renewable electricity to power driving." To accomplish this level of energy savings, the architects designed a structure that would consume less. "We set out to build an extremely efficient envelope using passive design techniques, optimizing the house layout, windows, and insulation. Then we added extremely efficient heating, cooling and lighting systems, as well as appliances," Koenig says. "The passive design techniques resulted in an open space with tons of natural light. It’s a beautiful environment to spend time in." A Silva Giant LED floor lamp by Laguna Beach-based designers Cerno, Kristina sofa by Ekla Home, Loop coffee table by Arktura, area rug from Shaw, and end table from Iannone Design furnish the living room.
The house uses about half as much energy as a conventional residence in the area. Over the course of a year, it is projected to produce 2.6 megawatt-hours of energy while a comparable home will consume 13.3 megawatt-hours. "This offsets nearly 13,100 pounds of CO2 annually," Koenig says. "Plus, it uses renewable electricity to power driving." To accomplish this level of energy savings, the architects designed a structure that would consume less. "We set out to build an extremely efficient envelope using passive design techniques, optimizing the house layout, windows, and insulation. Then we added extremely efficient heating, cooling and lighting systems, as well as appliances," Koenig says. "The passive design techniques resulted in an open space with tons of natural light. It’s a beautiful environment to spend time in." A Silva Giant LED floor lamp by Laguna Beach-based designers Cerno, Kristina sofa by Ekla Home, Loop coffee table by Arktura, area rug from Shaw, and end table from Iannone Design furnish the living room.
Here, a cabinet runs along the entire back wall of the den, incorporating a Murphy bed with desk, task lighting, and even ample storage space for belongings. By pulling down the Murphy bed, the den becomes a guest room.
Here, a cabinet runs along the entire back wall of the den, incorporating a Murphy bed with desk, task lighting, and even ample storage space for belongings. By pulling down the Murphy bed, the den becomes a guest room.
Honda, N360 Custom, c. 1970. Photo: Honda.
Honda, N360 Custom, c. 1970. Photo: Honda.
1984 Honda ATC70
1984 Honda ATC70
Honda Africa Twin Enduro Sports Concept
Honda Africa Twin Enduro Sports Concept
Marc Venot together with his son on his Honda from 1974.
Marc Venot together with his son on his Honda from 1974.
In 2009, Nelson turned a Honda Spree scooter into a beach cruiser complete with cooler, surfboard rack, and space for a wetsuit and towel.
In 2009, Nelson turned a Honda Spree scooter into a beach cruiser complete with cooler, surfboard rack, and space for a wetsuit and towel.
Takt Project's founders. From left, Atsushi Honda, Yoshitaka Ito, Satoshi Yoshiizumi, and Takeshi Miyazaki.
Takt Project's founders. From left, Atsushi Honda, Yoshitaka Ito, Satoshi Yoshiizumi, and Takeshi Miyazaki.
A drawing of the N360 in half-perspective. It was hand-drawn by a designer for use in a brochure. The N360 featured a monocoque body and spacious interior. Photo: Honda.
A drawing of the N360 in half-perspective. It was hand-drawn by a designer for use in a brochure. The N360 featured a monocoque body and spacious interior. Photo: Honda.
Le Koroc is equipped with a Honda BF90 VTEC outboard motor with 25-inch-long shaft (and a marine battery) as well as a 192-liter gas tank. A 265-watt solar panel with two serial 6-volt batteries provides all of the unit's electricity needs.
Le Koroc is equipped with a Honda BF90 VTEC outboard motor with 25-inch-long shaft (and a marine battery) as well as a 192-liter gas tank. A 265-watt solar panel with two serial 6-volt batteries provides all of the unit's electricity needs.
Hyundai offered several vehicles for guests to test-drive; both the 2011 Sonata and its competitors ( the Honda Accord and the Toyota Camry) were tested against each other to see which car delivered the best performance.
Hyundai offered several vehicles for guests to test-drive; both the 2011 Sonata and its competitors ( the Honda Accord and the Toyota Camry) were tested against each other to see which car delivered the best performance.