The Zūm evolved from a collaboration that began in 2006 between Bensonwood Homes, MIT’s Open Source Building Alliance, and other industry partners who came together to start the Open Prototype Initiative (OPI).
Design Details
The prototype Zūm was an energy-efficient modern-style home Unity built in Maine for the President of Unity College. Since the college’s focus is environmental studies, the home had to achieve both Net-Zero and LEED Platinum ratings. The design and production processes that came out of that project were a major turning point in the development of Unity Homes.
Unity's most modern design, the Zūm’s open-plan living space can be configured in many ways to separate public and private spaces. The airtight construction virtually eliminates drafts and outside noise.
Plus, since it’s designed and oriented to maximize natural light and solar gain, the temperature remains even, something that’s typically hard to achieve in a one-story hom
