The Smart Home Program at Duke University uses an innovative approach to teach smarter living and green building design. The program serves as a tool for teams of interdisciplinary students to focus on using technology to create smarter ways of living. For more information on the Smart Home and the program it serves, watch this short video.


The video alluded to several features that the engineers utilized to make the Home Depot Smart Home at Duke University a smart and sustainable home. Some of the features are highlighted below with more detailed information.

Rainwater Cisterns

The home features two 1,000-gallon storage tanks on either side of the front porch. They collect rainwater from the roof whenever it rains and use it for irrigation, flushing toilets and washing clothes.

Green Roof

A green roof consists of vegetation and soil that are planted over a waterproofing material on the roof of a building. The green roof at the Smart Home is planted with sedums due to their low maintenance and drought resistant characteristics. The green roof will help to better insulate the house, filter rainwater runoff and make the roof more aesthetically pleasing.

Photovoltaic Solar Panels

Photovoltaic panels consist of many solar cells that are used to capture the energy (photons) from the sun and convert it directly into electricity (voltage). The Smart Home features 18, 160 watt photovoltaic panels located on the front of the house and mounted to the upper porches. The energy generated by these panels is connected to the public power grid and reduces the homes energy output by as much as 30%.

To learn more about photovoltaic solar cells and other renewable energy programs visit the Solar House at North Carolina State University in Raleigh. To learn more about the basics of green roofs, what they are made of and what their benefits are visit the NCSU Green Roof Research Program or you can visit the JC Raulston Arboretum to see their version of a green roof atop the McSwain Center building. To learn more about conserving water at your home visit the City of Durham’s Water Conservation Information webpage.