First Light House - Interior/Chairs

Year: 2011

The award-winning First Light House was originally designed and constructed for the US Department of Energy's biannual Solar Decathlon competition in 2011. The design was inspired by the traditional New Zealand holiday home, a 'Kiwi Bach', socializing, and connection to nature. The house - which has one bedroom, but sleeps six because of an ingenious system of bunks and fold-down beds in the living room - shows what is possible in sustainable housing. A cedar canopy soars bird-like above the bach, supporting the 6kw solar array of 28 photovoltaic panels and 40 water heating tubes. The front and back bi-folding doors allow for plenty of natural light to enter. An overhanging roof provides ample shade on hot days while also adding protection when the doors are open, creating a seamless indoor-outdoor connection. Some other features include a beautiful detachable cedar cladding system, triple-glazed sky roof and radical solar clothes-drying cupboard.