Overview

Xanadu represents a new line of homes designed by IQ-Home for 2008. Xanadu is the first in our Atlantis Series of designs represented by their polygon shaped 'circles'. This home is made up of three self-contained living areas; connected by ‘breezeways’ and includes three full bedrooms and 4 ½ baths. The primary living module is 2000 sq. ft. of living space with master bedroom & bath, living room, massive kitchen, formal dining, ‘Zen room’ and walk-in pantry and laundry. The office/library/studio module is 900 sq. ft. of living space that is used for home office and artistic design work and houses the ‘pool bath’. The third module is also 900 sq. ft. of living space and has two ‘mini-master’ bedroom suites (each with a spa bath) with private living room space and kitchenette. Total living area is approximately 3900 sq. ft.

Digital Technology

Xanadu is a fully automated residential home. While the underlying technology is advanced, its application is engineered to enable common household functions to be controlled and managed electronically. The majority of the electronic control components are ‘low voltage’; thus eliminating many of the ‘shock’ hazards of electrical systems. Even the light switches throughout the home are ‘low voltage’!

Structured Wiring

The technology in this home has been designed by IQ-Home to be compatible with today’s technology, but engineered to be prepared for future technology advances. Over 3.5 miles of Cat5e and 2.5 miles of Coax (RG6) have been installed. Two strands of digital fiber connect each module for a future Terabit switched Ethernet backbone. In the meantime, dual Cat5e gigabit networks will have to do! We have wired one supra-gigabit-Ethernet for data and Internet and one sub-gigabit-Ethernet for digital audio/video distribution! Six RG11 backbone underground cables from a remote satellite TV station to the equipment room with 4 underground Cat5e cables for telephone, DSL, weather station and Internet Bridge provide inter-linkage to the ‘outside world’. A three zoned wireless network overlays the multi-gigabyte wired/fiber network.

Automated Features

Digital Sound – The Vibe digital sound and distribution system is installed throughout the home. This system provides for localized and distributed selection of a variety of musical choices in each are of the home. Xanadu has five concurrent distinct ‘zones’ where different music selections can be played. Each Vibe system can support an unlimited number of inputs by using digital audio encoders (including a native IPOD docking station!). The system audio server can store up to 1250 audio CD’s.

Control System – The Colorado vNet control system provides digital control over almost any electronic device. Xanadu has 96 individual lighting/device control zones, over 100 distinct inputs, including motion sensors, low voltage control switches and other sensor inputs, 80 output controls consisting of low voltage relays, wall outlets and other electrical devices.

Environmental

In addition to utilizing renewable resources in the basic construction, Xanadu utilizes the latest available materials and resources to reduce environmental impact and ‘carbon footprint’.

Insulation – The entire shell of Xanadu has been coated with soybean ‘spray foam’ insulation from AgriFoam Systems. This provides an ‘airtight’ enveloped interior environment. The exterior wall panels are also coated with 1 inch of solid styrene insulation material, over which is Hardiboard fiber cement planking.

Solar Hot Water – Two large solar panels are mounted on the primary module south-facing roof and attached to a 120 gallon ‘hot water’ storage tank. The recirculation pump is powered by a solar photo voltaic panel. This will provide abundant hot water to the home, even on cloudy days with no electrical usage!

Bamboo Flooring – Solid stranded bamboo flooring is used throughout most of the home (over 3000 sq. ft.). This renewable grass resource is harder than most wood flooring except for the most exotic hardwoods. This renewable resource is more durable than most flooring and is highly moisture resistant; and it looks divine!

Solar Photo-Voltaic & ‘Net Zero’ – Future plans call for a full battery of solar photo voltaic panels mounted on the remote garage. Due to the inability to pre-calculate the electrical requirements of the home; photo-voltaic panels will be mounted later in the year after the home is ‘powered up’ and consumption can be measured. We plan to enable Xanadu to be fully independent of the national power grid passing excess generated power back to the local utility under the ‘net metering’ laws.

Windows & Doors – All the Anderson Windows and Doors components are impact resistance, Low-e, argon filled units. This provides for the maximum safety and energy efficiency in window and door treatments.

Appliances – All appliances used in the home will be ‘Energy Star’ rated for highest possible energy efficiency.

Building Engineering

The structure is based on Deltec Homes systems that feature a highly integrated SIP (Structured Insulated Panels) manufacturing process that delivers a superior product in a very short time frame. Meeting IQ-Home’s highest quality standards, this design provides a quality product that meets our tough standards for strength, termite and mold resistance, and overall desirability. And it’s ROUND!! The shape renders a very low wind profile; making the home highly wind resistant.

Structural - Xanadu is built using 8 ft. X 10 ft. SIP panels, made of 2X6 lumber and ¾ inch plywood sheathing. The SIP panels have one inch of solid Styrofoam insulation against the sheathing with James Hardie siding plank exterior. The interior sheetrock is 5/8^th inch instead of the normal ½ inch. All the interior walls are constructed using 20 gauge steel studs and track.

Insulation – The entire shell of Xanadu has been coated with soybean ‘spray foam’ insulation from AgriFoam Systems. This provides an ‘airtight’ enveloped interior environment. The exterior wall panels are also coated with 1 inch of solid styrene insulation material, over which is Hardiboard fiber cement planking.

Termite/Mold/Mildew – All the wood components (lumber, sheathing and trim) have been treated with BluWood by WoodSmart Solutions, Inc. BluWood treated lumber provides a unique, two-product technology that protects against the devastating consequences to wood of fungal and termite infestation.

Windows & Doors – The windows and doors are provided by Anderson Windows and Doors. The ‘StormWatch’ Perma-Shield vinyl clad windows are impact resistant, Low-E Glass, dual pained argon filled. Most of the windows are ‘casement’ design providing for easy opening for nice ‘cross breeze’ days (usually fall and winter days).

Electrical – Each Xanadu module is equipped with separate environmental and electrical systems. This design allows for zoned living, HVAC and power consumption control. All electrical wiring is heavy duty copper that exceeds NEMA (National Electrical Manufacturers Association) specifications.