PHOTOS: Ohio State University’s Solar Decathlon enCORE House Does More with Less in a 900 Sq Foot Space

Did you know that today’s average American household has changed from 3.7 people living in a 1000 square foot home in 1940 to 3.1 people inhabiting a 2300+ square foot home 2010? <a href="http://solardecathlon.osu.edu"> Ohio State University</a> set out to counteract those rather appalling statistics with their 2011 <a href="http://inhabitat.com/solar-decathlon">Solar Decathlon</a> entry, the <a href="http://solardecathlon.osu.edu">enCORE House</a>, and from the current standings (they're <a href="http://www.solardecathlon.gov/">in 2nd place</a>!), they've succeeded in their goal. These elegant minimalist prefab home features solar panels, highly efficient building systems, and a flexible floor plan fit for a family of three - all within a deceptively breezy and spacious 900 ft. space. Click through our photo gallery to check out all of our exclusive pics of this well-thought out family home!

The exterior of <a href="http://solardecathlon.osu.edu">Ohio State University</a>'s <a href="http://inhabitat.com/solar-decathlon">Solar Decathlon</a> home is one of our favorites in the competition. It's modern, airy and fun.

<a href="http://solardecathlon.osu.edu">Ohio State University</a>'s <a href="http://inhabitat.com/solar-decathlon">Solar Decathlon</a> home was built to counteract these alarming stats: Today’s average American household has changed from 3.7 people living in a 1000 square foot home in 1940 to 3.1 people inhabiting a 2300+ square foot home 2010. Do we really need all that extra space with less people?

The name "<a href="http://solardecathlon.osu.edu/">enCORE</a>" refers to their house's central core, which is what the foundation that the other components are layered around.

Because all of the mechanical systems of <a href="http://solardecathlon.osu.edu">Ohio State University</a>'s <a href="http://inhabitat.com/solar-decathlon">Solar Decathlon</a> home are condensed into this central location, the other areas are left free for usable space.

The areas inside <a href="http://solardecathlon.osu.edu">Ohio State University</a>'s <a href="http://inhabitat.com/solar-decathlon">Solar Decathlon</a> home have been divvied up to maximize functionality.

<a href="http://solardecathlon.osu.edu">Ohio State University</a>'s 900 sq ft <a href="http://inhabitat.com/solar-decathlon">Solar Decathlon</a> home features 2 bedrooms, a kitchen, a bathroom, a deck, an office and even a den.

These flexible rooms surround <a href="http://solardecathlon.osu.edu">Ohio State University</a>'s <a href="http://inhabitat.com/solar-decathlon">Solar Decathlon</a> home's mechanical core and are set up in a way that maximizes <a href="http://inhabitat.com/daylighting">natural light</a> and ventilation.

Ohio State's <a href="http://solardecathlon.osu.edu/">enCORE home</a> already has a small footprint, but its powerful <a href="http://solardecathlon.osu.edu/content/house/strategies">solar-panel clad roof </a> (which is hidden by the siding in this photo) also greatly reduces the amount of electricity it needs to suck from the power grid.

<a href="http://solardecathlon.osu.edu">Ohio State University</a>'s <a href="http://inhabitat.com/solar-decathlon">Solar Decathlon</a> home's array, which actually looks quite aesthetically pleasing on top of the home, consists of 108 angled thin-film <a href="http://www.firstsolar.com/en/index.php">First Solar</a> panels and a flat plate collector.

With an output of 8 kW, the <a href="http://solardecathlon.osu.edu">Ohio State University</a> <a href="http://inhabitat.com/solar-decathlon">Solar Decathlon</a> home's array is actually on the lower end of the spectrum in terms of energy output to some of the other competing homes in the <a href="http://inhabitat.com/solardecathlon">2011 Solar Decathlon</a>.

We do have to give <a href="http://solardecathlon.osu.edu">Ohio State University</a> extra credit for choosing panels manufactured locally in Toledo, Ohio for their <a href="http://inhabitat.com/solar-decathlon">Solar Decathlon</a> home.

In addition to the impressive solar array, <a href="http://solardecathlon.osu.edu">Ohio State University</a>'s <a href="http://inhabitat.com/solar-decathlon">Solar Decathlon</a> home also uses both passive and active strategies like stack ventilation and a heat pump water heater to lower its <a href="http://www.inhabitat.com/energy">energy</a> and resource usage even further.

<a href="http://solardecathlon.osu.edu">Ohio State University</a>'s <a href="http://inhabitat.com/solar-decathlon">Solar Decathlon</a> home has low-U value windows that are placed strategically amidst the prefab polycarbonate wall system in order to draw sunlight into the home.

They cut down on the need for artificial lighting - something that will save a family living in the <a href="http://solardecathlon.osu.edu/">enCORE home</a> more money even after they purchase it.

The <a href="http://solardecathlon.osu.edu/">enCORE home</a>'s roof is also sloped to collect rainwater.

The water collected in <a href="http://solardecathlon.osu.edu">Ohio State University</a>'s <a href="http://inhabitat.com/solar-decathlon">Solar Decathlon</a> home can then be used to water plants or for plumbing.

<a href="http://solardecathlon.osu.edu">Ohio State University</a>'s <a href="http://inhabitat.com/solar-decathlon">Solar Decathlon</a> home's floorplan showing how well thought out the spaces are in this compact home.

<a href="http://solardecathlon.osu.edu">Ohio State University</a>'s <a href="http://inhabitat.com/solar-decathlon">Solar Decathlon</a> home also has an impressive outdoor landscape design which also reuses rain to water plants.

<a href="http://solardecathlon.osu.edu">Ohio State University</a>'s <a href="http://inhabitat.com/solar-decathlon">Solar Decathlon</a> home has a smart and kid-friendly design. Here, a colorful kid's room.

<a href="http://solardecathlon.osu.edu">Ohio State University</a>'s <a href="http://inhabitat.com/solar-decathlon">Solar Decathlon</a> home's modular polycarbonate walls do double duty as an aesthetically pleasing facade.

<a href="http://solardecathlon.osu.edu">Ohio State University</a>'s <a href="http://inhabitat.com/solar-decathlon">Solar Decathlon</a> home's master bedroom feels very spacious and airy even though the house is only 900 sq. ft.

Think <a href="http://solardecathlon.osu.edu">Ohio State University</a>'s <a href="http://inhabitat.com/solar-decathlon">Solar Decathlon</a> home deserves to win? Give it your <a href="http://www.solardecathlon.gov/poll/pca/pca_register.php" target="_blank">vote here</a>!