Project ZeNETH: Construction Phase

Amount Awarded: $20,803.72 

Academic Year: 2022-2023 

Implementation: Active – Implementation Phase

Full Application: Link

Categories: Built Environment Campus and Community Engagement

Originally begun in 2017, Project ZeNETH (Zero Net Energy Tiny House) has been a (now long-running) objective aimed at engaging WWU students to design, construct, measure, and manage a net-zero, energy efficient mobile tiny house. Since its inception, the main emphasis for this project has been in maximizing students’ education at Western, and this project serves as a strong platform for incorporating disciplines and students from multiple colleges at Western. 

The project was, as seen in every corner of the world, delayed indefinitely due to COVID-19. It picked back up in the 2022-2023 academic year; work was completed in electrical redesign, equipment sourcing, subcontractor and donor outreach, construction, and planning. However, due to the several year-long delay, additional expenses had cropped up during the final phases of constructing the tiny house. This grant served as a means to wrap up expenses and finally have the construction completed and installed on campus. 

The tiny house will serve as a tangible design project and test bed for students in courses related to design, urban planning, environmental justice, business and sustainability, biology, environmental studies/science, electrical engineering, and energy policy. This will include using the house as a living laboratory, as well as a possible study space.