2011 Solar Decathlon Sun-Powered House Competition Kicks Off in Washington DC - Exclusive Photos | Inhabitat - Sustainable Design Innovation, Eco Architecture, Green Building

The 2011 Solar Decathlon just kicked off in Washington DC as 19 stunning sun-powered homes popped up in the National Mall. This annual competition challenges teams of students from across the United States and around the world to design and build solar-powered prefabricated houses, and the project that generates the most energy while scoring top marks in affordability and design takes home the prize. We had the chance to take a first look at this year's ultra-efficient homes - hit the jump to check out our exclusive photos!

Solar Decathlon 2011, Southern California Institute of Architecture, solar decathlon houses, solar power, renewable energy, washington dc mall, solar panels, renewable energy

We have affectionately nicknamed SCI-Arc’s house the “puffy house,” as it creatively wears its insulation on its exterior. The home is actually called CHIP, which stands for compact hyper-insulated prototype, and it is designed to challenge every architectural and engineering preconception about zero energy homes.

Solar Decathlon 2011, Team Florida in front of the Washington Monument, solar decathlon houses, solar power, renewable energy, washington dc mall, solar panels, renewable energy

Team Florida’s got a prime location with the Washington Monument located behind it. Using superior insulation, solar thermal and solar PV, and recycled materials, the FLeX house aims to be the ultimate net-zero home built specifically for Florida’s hot and humid climate.

We love Team Ohio’s frosted glassy exterior. The enCORE house boasts 930 square feet of living space built around a central mechanical core, leaving lots of space for work, play, and sleep. The team used thin film solar photovoltaics atop the roof that were locally manufactured in Ohio and cost nearly 70% less than typical solar arrays.

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New Zealand’s First Light House was a favorite among Inhabitat and one of the houses that many of the students believe could be the ultimate winner. The beautifully butterflied house uses sheep’s wool insulation, and it has an innovative drying cupboard that dries clothes quickly by pumping solar-heated hot water through a metal exchanger.

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LEAVE A COMMENT

3 Comments

kelly moore September 26, 2011 at 3:58 pm

Atitaya,

What projects are you interested in???

Kelly Moore

atitaya wongkiam September 26, 2011 at 8:56 am

interesting projects and want to know more about it.

Kelly Moore September 26, 2011 at 7:41 am

I would like to know how the envelope of the buildings are built? How much R-Value they have?

All the things like water walls and funky looking boxes are good but how many people in neighborhoods are willing to have them next door to them, kinda like Brad Pitt’s Make it Right in The 9TH Ward?

Lets make it look like a traditionally built home …BUT make it NET-ZERO…

The home in the pictures #13 looks great because you could move it into any place in America and it would be welcome…

Kelly Moore
561.309.2420