In the mid 30’s, America’s preeminent architect, Frank Lloyd Wright (FLW), introduced his “Usonian” concept of “simplicity” to arrive at an affordable house that harmonized with Nature. Today, this concept is imbedded in the world’s first commercially viable sustainable house for as low as $150,000 ($120 sf/$1230 sm). This development responds to multiple environmental and societal issues on a universal scale. FLW’s Usonian objective is now the “World House” initiative centered on technology used 2500 years ago to build the Great China Wall to represent a 21st century platform technology combined with clean energy sources.
Based on current technology, a FLW themed house materially diminishes household financial burdens, including minimal mortgage payments, electric bills, property insurance, depreciation, maintenance, and even transportation costs, and distinctive modern styles. All factors to arrive at this objective exist today.
A house that pays for itself in energy savings, and beyond, serves as a “Mini-Power Station”. The entire roof area is comprised of Building Integrated Photovoltaic (BIPV) cells energizing both a house while a solar carport energizes an electric plug in hybrid vehicle. FLW “invented” the carport. Excess clean energy is sold or stored, as a hybrid car does, in the home’s furnishings. There is no furnace. FLW used radiant floor heating in his first Usonian residence in 1936. He was America’s first “Green” builder.
FLW urged the use of “natural” materials. He worshiped Nature. Today, a common natural mineral used in building the Great China Wall 2500 years ago is the “platform” for panels for walls, roofs, floors, foundations, and cisterns in 21st century abodes. This “building envelope” is fire and waterproof, resists insects, mold, and is non toxic. It is stronger than concrete with even ballistic properties. It is seismic and hurricane wind tested. There is no requirement for traditional framing, drywall, siding, roofing, insulation, builders, etc. The major components used in today’s “World House” program where used in the world’s largest building with a floor area of 40 football fields and in the world’s tallest buildings. No energy or petroleum is used in its production, and it is 100% recyclable. It is today’s consummate “green” building envelope. The wide availability of “Sustainable Communities”, even classrooms, is realistic. FLW stated…”Form and function should be one, joined in a spiritual union.”
In advanced countries with high construction standards, 100 year mortgages are offered. When available in the USA, foreclosures will be a rarity. FLW’s famous Fallingwater house is recognized by the America Institute of Architects as the “The all-time most significant architectural work in America”.
Walter Feuchs is the founder of the “World House” initiative which had its debut at the UN in NYC with the 30 minute assembly of the major components of an Energy Star rated abode. The economic opportunities ensuing from the “World House” initiative, and its many spin-offs, could be noteworthy.
The $150,000 Sustainable House objective is an entry in the Energy Globe Award 2007, the world’s most prestigious environmental award. Feuchs’s group hopes to exhibit the world’s first commercially viable sustainable house at the Smithsonian Institution. The U.S. Government remains unsupportive, as it was when FLW advanced his Usonian concept in the Great Depression with its record foreclosure rates. Some things never change.
In 1989, a FLW Usonian house was exhibited at the Smithsonian. Sponsorship at the Smithsonian of a 2008 version is available for those who wish to make a difference. Walter Feuchs can be contacted by emailing: feuchs@aol.com