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Aachen University Counter Entropy HouseNot only does Team Germany's <a href="http://solar.arch.rwth-aachen.de">Counter Entropy Solar Decathlon house</a> have a revolving curtain that keeps it cool, but it also boasts a facade made with melted recycled CD panels, recycled beams taken from the recently dismantled Aachener stadium and reused wooden furniture harvested from bulk rubbish. In fact, we haven't seen any other team pay this much attention to reusing materials at the <a href="http://www.sdeurope.org/?lang=en">2012 Solar Decathlon Europe</a> competition in Madrid. But that isn't all that makes this particular entry from <a href="http://www.rwth-aachen.de">RWTH Aachen University</a> so darn cool - read on for more!1
Aachen University Counter Entropy HouseThe Counter Entropy House uses more recycled materials than any other Solar Decathlon entry this year2
Aachen University Counter Entropy HouseA revolving curtain mitigates excess solar gain3
Aachen University Counter Entropy HouseThe facade is made with melted CD panels4
Aachen University Counter Entropy HouseA cantilevering roof provides additional shade5
Aachen University Counter Entropy HouseThe curtain can be adjusted according to exterior conditions6
Aachen University Counter Entropy HouseA row of greenery makes a pleasant entry, although it does require quite a lot of attention7
Aachen University Counter Entropy HouseThe interior light changes depending on what's happening with the curtain8
Aachen University Counter Entropy HouseThis home has a lot of storage space and the bed folds back into the wall9
Aachen University Counter Entropy HouseThe wood flooring was harvested from the recently-dismantled Aachener stadium10
Aachen University Counter Entropy HouseOk, so we really loved the bed!11
Aachen University Counter Entropy HouseResource efficiency played a huge role in the design of this beautiful home12
Aachen University Counter Entropy HouseEven the kitchen furniture was made from recycled materials!13
Aachen University Counter Entropy HouseA change in the curtain's position changes the entire ambience of the interior14
Aachen University Counter Entropy HouseEnergy is supplied by transferring heat flows in carrier-fluids15
Aachen University Counter Entropy HouseA super sustainable thermal cooling system also keeps the interior comfortable year round16
Aachen University Counter Entropy HouseNo two cupboards are the same since all of the wood panels used for the cabinets were harvested from bulk rubbish!17
Aachen University Counter Entropy HouseEfficiency hits the kitchen area too18
Aachen University Counter Entropy HouseAll material choices were carefully selected to ensure maximum efficiency19
Aachen University Counter Entropy HouseThis team developed their own material from melted recycled CD panels and it's amazing how good it looks!20
Aachen University Counter Entropy HouseThe CD facade has good thermal properties as well.21
