Many have heard of “peas in a pod,” but what about people in a pod?
Kara Shell, a mechanical engineering student and a member of a team that is building an energy-efficient, sustainable home called the Pod, may see this as plausible — soon.
The Pod team consists of mechanical engineering students Doug Powell, Anna Schwinn and Kara Shell and architecture students Greg Delaney, Elizabeth Evanoo and Greg Tran, who are collaborating on the design and construction of the Pod, so named because of its small size, as their senior honors project/capstone project. Mechanical engineering professors Gary Kinzel and Seppo Korpela and associate professor Mark Walter and Knowlton School of Architecture associate professors Lisa Tilder and Stephen Turk are the team’s advisers.
“The �Pod’ is a small living unit that could be used by one or two people as a place to live,” says Kinzel.
While it will measure only 125 square feet, the Pod incorporates a large number of sustainable technologies and energy-saving techniques.
“We all spent fall quarter (2007) researching �green’ technology, energy conservation and sustainability,” says Shell.
The Pod exhibits such innovations as solar power, solar hot water heating, gray water recycling, energy- and water-saving appliances, sustainable building materials and more through an innovative design.
Students spent winter quarter 2008 designing the Pod and are currently in the construction phase.
“Meshing the architecture and engineering aspects has been the greatest challenge,” says Shell. “There are different goals for each team — the architects want it to be aesthetically pleasing and (engineers) just want it to work — but the goal of sustainability and livability is the same.”
Different aspects of sustainability created challenges for the team members. However, they were able to remedy problems with creative solutions.
“The acrylic panels (for the exterior) would be budget-breaking, so the team tossed the design,” says Kinzel.
With just a weekend of thought, they came up with an alternative solution.
“We’re collecting cans, washing them and turning them into shingles for the house,” says Shell.
The concepts and knowledge gained from the Pod will benefit the sustainable living effort at Ohio State.
This project, which received a 2007 Excellence in Engagement grant from the university, will serve as a frontrunner for Ohio State’s Solar Decathlon student-led team, which will build an 800-square-foot house for a fall 2009 national competition sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy.
“This project has given us an idea of the working relationship between architectures and engineers. Knowing this will help the Solar Decathlon team,” says Kinzel.
Beginning summer quarter 2008, the Pod will be presented as an educational exhibit for young children. The team is raising funds for a tentative April 2009 installation of the Pod at the Center of Science and Industry (COSI) in Columbus.
Amy Adducchio is a College of Engineering student communications assistant.
