The 2,500-square-foot, three-story, prefabricated home, built on the grounds of Chicago’s Museum of Science and Industry, showcases how sustainable materials, "smart" automation of lighting and HVAC systems, and eco-friendly practices and products can fit into any home owner’s lifestyle.  The exhibit "Smart Home: Green + Wired," features more than 200 "green" and smart home products—from motorized skylights that open when detectors sense a cool breeze to kitchen counters and bathroom tiles made from recycled glass.

A green-roof garden of drought-tolerant plants provides year-round insulation, while solar panels harness the power of the sun to provide most of the home’s electricity. The innovative photovoltic film works in shade and even generates electricity through much of Chicago’s cold, cloudy winter. At ground level are native plants and water permeable pavements; rain barrels are used to hy drate the garden, conserving drinking-quality water.

Maybe you can obtain a few ideas for your home: Take the Smart House Tour