Home, Smart Home

The green home of the future exists in the present. Need proof? Check out the Smart Home: Green + Wired exhibit at the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago.

The exhibit—which opened last week in celebration of the museum's 75th anniversary and runs through Jan. 4, 2009—is actually a three-story, 2,500-square-foot home. The contemporary loft-style layout (of course) has cool gadgets on display everywhere, from a kitchen countertop compost machine to a plant-watering system that sends text messages from thirsty plants. Wired magazine helped integrate some of these smart technologies, including a full-home automation system that can track energy consumption in real time. The house also has a rooftop garden and features furnishings from the Salvation Army and local artists, resulting in a smart blend of old and new.

Many of these innovations are available to consumers right now. Which ones are you ready to try? [Sun-Times]