In 2003, Mark Younger, an undergraduate student at the Duke University Pratt School of Engineering conceived the idea in a senior thesis.

[2] At the time, Home Depot's senior vice president of merchandising stated that the Smart Home would help the hardware and furnishings retailer "understand the technology behind these solutions and ultimately to bring this technology to the consumer market.

[4] The facility is a LEED Platinum certified[5] 6000 square feet residence hall at Duke.

The home has a Green Roof which is integrated into the rain-water recollection system, which provides up to 2500 gallons[5] of water for irrigation, toilets, and washing machines.

[3] The house has living space and laboratories for 10 undergraduates, where they are able to conduct experiments relating to the engineering of smart-homes as every-day life.