The Missouri University of Science and Technology is putting its old entries to the Solar Decathlon to good use by making a model Solar Village. Four solar homes from past competitions are being reused in
At a West Coast Green conference in San Francisco, we were lucky enough to not only get a sneak peek of the Michelle Kaufmann mkLotus prefab house, but also to speak with the designer herself to get the
Sunny Southern California is set to break out the photovoltaic panels as the U.S. Department of Energy prepares to host the 2013 Solar Decathlon in Orange County, CA. This marks the first time in history
From the very beginning, the Empowerhouse was planned to be more than just an entry for the 2011 Solar Decathlon. Designed and built by a student group from Parsons The New School for Design , Stevens
The top six homes in the final results of the 2012 European Solar Decathlon are: 1. Canopea House by Team Rhône-Alpes 2. Patio 2.12 by Team Andalucia 3. MED in Italy by Team Italy 4. ECOLAR by Team
Both vertical and horizontal stacks of Canopea homes can produce nanotowers that respond to the dearth of urban space in France. Each level is a fairly spacious, complete home, and only the very top is
Four Andalucian Universities used their combined talents to design and construct the Patio 2.12 entry for the European Solar Decathlon. The delightful courtyard at its center creates a very relaxing and
Utilizing the combined power of a couple of efficient photovoltaic panels and bicycles employed as dynamos, the Ciclalab team provided the crowds with music and entertainment all weekend. Both the panels
ECOLAR's basic construction, comprised of beams and columns, essentially stays the same but can be configured differently based on the homeowner's preferences. In keeping with the mandates of genuine
Let's put the elevator aside for a moment in order to recognize the value of Unizar's unique Casa PI home, which relies on geometry to reduce overall surface size and therefore slash the home's energy
The Solar Decathlon competition is designed to foster creativity and innovation, not winners. As a result, we admire the teams who have risked their chance of winning in order to experiment with new
Hungarians don't enjoy a lot of great weather, but when they do, the ODOO house terrace will ensure they can make the most of it. The day-lit interior is comfortable too, heated as it is by insulated
Only 86 mm thick, the rooftop RAcell PVT system developed specifically for FOLD also covers a hot water system placed directly beneath it. The overall framing is thin too, but that doesn't mean it isn't
The last time we checked, the Casas Em Movimento House is not actually rotating, but its performance scores are climbing despite some delays in construction. Conceptually, the robust envelope of
Team Brasil chose wood as the main construction materials for their solar-powered Ekó House since these are more readily available in their home country and because they help to raise awareness of the
Although one of the lower scoring teams at this year's Solar Decathlon Europe competition in Madrid, the Sumbiosi house has extraordinary potential and shouldn't be discounted just yet. Not only does Team
MED in Italy is a clever play on words that refers to the fact that the home was made in Italy, but it also refers to the Mediterranean climate around which the home was designed. In order to be able to
Counter Entropy also experimented with a range of unique energy generating and saving systems, including the transfer of heat flow through carrier-fluids. As a result of this innovation, no thermodynamic
The PRISPA's envelope has a dual function: not only does the photovoltaic array produce twice as much energy as the home can use, but it also provides solar protection. Albeit a rather expensive
Constructed from scratch in just under two weeks, the elegant but strong form of the Para Ecohouse creates an impressive dwelling for a couple to live comfortably in a sustainable manner. The simple
The simple but elegant design of the exterior is mirrored inside, providing a comfortable and airy living area. The upgraded tatami mats (seen above) double as seating and bedding if required. As
Team Inhabitat is currently on-scene in Madrid to bring you coverage of all 19 Solar Decathlon Europe Teams as their sun-powered projects compete to be the world's most efficient solar home. Stay tuned
In addition to its unique circular shape which results in a heat reduction loss of 11%, Casa Pi is the only home made of concrete. Reinforced with glass, this material has a high thermal mass that will
To the team from Denmark that is presently working around the clock to finish the Fold House in time for the official SDE 2012 opening, sustainability entails a collective mindset that requires a sense of
The rooftop PV array will provide the house with all anticipated electrical energy requirements. Half of these panels are positioned on four sliding plinths. This is intended for use on hot days, so the
Combining hi and lo technology to create a comfortable powerhouse suitable for the Mediterranean climate, team Roma focused a lot of attention on Med in Italy's thermal massing. Being a more eco-friendly
