A limited budget has made adaptability a top theme this year and The Solar Homestead exemplifies this facet of sustainable design better than most. A half-bath, outdoor shower and outdoor kitchen can be
One of the most common arguments against building energy-efficient homes is that the upfront costs are just too high, but this year's Solar Decathlon competition is telling another story. For the first
The familiar shape of Middlebury's home was inspired by New England farmhouses that are ubiquitous throughout the school's home state of Vermont. The gable shape looks decidedly traditional, but the
The DOE & the Solar Decathlon are also running their own People's Choice Award for the first time ever, so you should definitely go check it out and vote! Read on for a look at each of these amazing
Building on the importance of family and community gathering, the open plan TRTL house features a flexible dining and living area that fosters family relationships. The two bedroom home can be assembled
We've been sitting on the edges of our seats all day, anxiously awaiting today's Engineering Contest results at the 2011 Solar Decathlon. The results were just announced, and we're happy to report that
Currently ranking in at number 8, the net zero prefab heralds a new generation of high-tech solar powered housing. The CHIP (which stands for “Compact Hyper-Insulated Prototype”) impressed us with its
Before one even enters the Watershed house the lush green native landscaping and natural siding stand out. The University of Maryland architecture students made a conscious effort to source local plants
The two-bedroom house is a cute little bungalow with an inviting front porch and a tract home-like façade -- a characteristic that, we'll admit, had us brushing the house off at first. Inside, the
The furniture in the Unit 6 Unplugged house reflects the influence of the Arts and Crafts movement, which originated in England in the late 19th century and was spread worldwide by architects and
Several unique features set the house apart from the rest. Inspired by the traditional New Zealand holiday home, the “Kiwi bach”, socializing and a relationship with nature were of prime importance in
Sixteen of the teams are from American colleges and universities, with the other four teams coming from China, Canada, New Zealand, and Belgium. The InhabitatNYC team is particularly excited because three
As we close in on the kick-off of the Solar Decathlon next week, we've been profiling all of this year's ultra-efficient homes as they prepare to take the Washington Mall by storm. We've already showcased
Team Purdue’s entry in the 2011 Solar decathlon is decidedly Midwestern in its approach - it's a traditional-looking home that won't necessarily stick out in a crowd - however it's efficient enough to
THe Living Light Home looks like it may be one of the smaller homes we see presented at this year's Solar Decathlon. The simple rectangular volume features full floor-to-ceiling windows on both the north
With a compact design, wrap-around shade and vertical siding, the design is a bit reminiscent of Michelle Kaufmann's MkLotus house. While designing the home, the student design/build team kept a small
The team took inspiration for its design from the arts and crafts-style homes found throughout the center-city neighborhoods of Norfolk, Virginia. Craftsman style lines, windows and decor put this home in
TRTL is a semi-rounded house, which takes inspiration from the tipi's open floorplan. Unlike most Solar Decathlon houses, TRTL is actually a two bedroom home designed specifically for a family and an
The home has a traditional gabled roof - a common architectural feature in New England - allowing Self-Reliance to blend in with any neighborhood in the region. Flanking each side of the roof, at an
The most cost-effective feature of the home are the thin film photovoltaics that sit atop the roof. Locally manufactured in Ohio, the thin panels cost nearly 70% less than typical solar arrays. Triple
The Y Container allows residents to live just about anywhere freely, with self sufficient off-grid energy sources and a lightweight mobile design. The home has three verandas that face the surrounding
The Solar Homestead is comprised of a main area, with six outbuilding modules that fit together to create a harmonious living space. They meet to form the Great Porch, a centrally focused outdoor living
Although the home is made to sit comfortably on the beach, a parking lot will have to suffice for now. Two of the home's most striking features are its materials and its size. The concrete slabs hold all
The goal of the Ghent University students was to create a comfortable, solar-powered house with a lot of space on a small budget. Simplicity is at the core of their design and the home is stripped of
Construction on the prefab home for the competition began earlier this year in New York and will make its way down to the capital in September for the competition. In preparation of the solar home's final
Hale Pilihonua, which translates to the “home that is one with the land,” was designed using a holistic approach that functions in harmony with naturally available resources. The tubular home is
After winning the 2007 US Solar Decathlon, and placing second in the world, the University of Maryland team is well poised for this year's intercollegiate competition. Their solar-powered house, called
