Architects Robert Arlt and Charles MacBride and a group of students in South Dakota have completed an experimental gabled Passivhaus, which they claim is the first in the area to "sell energy back to the grid".

Arlt, an instructor in the South Dakota State University Department of Architecture, and MacBride worked with students to complete the house in Brookings near the school campus.

As there is currently no statewide energy code that residential buildings must meet in South Dakota, the project is intended to highlight the possibilities for construction.

"In a state that will not adopt energy codes, the design responds to showcase and demonstrate sustainable development to the region's public, contractors, and building officials through site selection, systems and assemblies," the team said.

The group obtained a housing grant from the Governor's Office of Economic Development to design the project to meet standards set by the Passive House Institute.

According to the team, the 2,000 square-foot house is also the first in the area to produce more energy than it consumes.