Special Collections and University Archives
403 Parks Library

701 Morrill Road
Iowa State University
Ames, IA 50011-2102

RS 23/1/51
Bruce S. Gathy
Iowa State University Energy Research House collection, 1977-1980, 2016


Descriptive summary

creator: Gathy, Bruce S.
title: Iowa State University Energy Research House collection
dates: 1977-1980, 2016
extent: 0.42 linear feet (1 document box)
collection number: RS 23/1/51
repository: University Archives, Iowa State University Library Special Collections and University Archives.
language: English

 

Administrative information

access: Open for research
publication rights: Consult Head, Special Collections and University Archives
preferred citation: Bruce S. Gathy Iowa State University Energy Research House collection, RS 23/1/51, Iowa State University Library Special Collections and University Archives.

 

Access points

People, Families, and Corporate Bodies:

Gathy, Bruce S.

Iowa State University Research Foundation

Places: Ames, Iowa
Subjects:

Solar houses

Housing -- United States

Dwellings -- Energy conservation

Genres: Slides

 

Abstract

Construction of the Iowa State University Energy Research House (ERH) started in March 1977. The project, sponsored by the Engineering Research Institute and funded by the Iowa State University Research Foundation, was designed to demonstrate and test innovative active and passive methods of improving energy utilization in buildings. Bruce S. Gathy, who received his Ph.D. (1967) from Iowa State University, worked on the installation of the mechanical system and oversaw phase one testing at the ERH. This collection contains photographs, reports, slides, and a hardhat that belonged to Gathy along with his descriptions for the slides and a personal narrative describing his involvement in the project.

 

Historical note

The construction of Iowa State University Energy Research House (ERH) began in March 1977, at a location north of central campus in a residential housing development. The project, sponsored by the Engineering Research Institute and funded by the Iowa State University Research Foundation, was coordinated by Paul Peterson, Associate Dean of Engineering and Director of the Engineering Research Institute.

The main purpose of the ERH was to demonstrate and test innovative active and passive methods of improving energy utilization in buildings. Testing was to be completed in three phases. Members of the departments of Architecture and Mechanical Engineering led the design and construction efforts with additional contributions from members of the faculty and staff from Applied Art, Family Environment, Landscape Architecture, and the Physical Plant. The house was sold to a private owner in March 1990.

Bruce S. Gathy, Associate Professor of applied engineering at the United States Coast Guard Academy and Ph.D. (1967) graduate of Iowa State University, was allowed leave from the Academy for two years to work on the project. Gathy was responsible for the installation of the mechanical system, specifically the solar assisted heat pump with forced air for internal comfort control. He also oversaw the phase one testing of the system.

 

Collection description

This collection (1977-1980, 2016) contains photographs, reports, slides, and a hardhat that belonged to Bruce S. Gathy during the construction of the Iowa State University Energy Research House. Gathy also included descriptions for all of the slides and a personal narrative describing his involvement in the project.

 

Organization

The original organization of the collection was retained. Slides were removed from four carousels labeled A through D and inserted into sleeves. A set of slides of the Iowa State campus donated by Gathy are included at the end of the collection.

 

Container list

Box

Folder

Title

Dates

1

1

Energy Research House reports

1977-1980

1

2-5

Energy Research House slides (460 slides)

1977-1979

Artifact collection

 

Hardhat (artifact 2016-048.001)

1978 circa

1

6

Photographs (4 color)

1979 circa

1

7

Energy Research House slide narrations (5 CDs)

2016

1

8

Personal narrative

2016

1

9

ISU campus slides (40 color)

unknown