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 ABC’s solar array offer up serious efficiency, it also enables cogeneration with a 3 in 1 system that produces electricity, hot water and a heat transfer fluid.
A rooftop Ventec system cools down the house during the summertime and also promotes natural ventilation, while water conservation is achieved with a little help from nature’s squiggly creatures! Called a Lombrifiltre, Sumbiosi’s greywater is cleansed with earthworms and sedimentary layers, delivering a byproduct that is clean enough to irrigate the air-scrubbing green roof and wash the car. An automated system finalizes the design, ensuring a high level of comfort at all times. Keep an eye on this team because the competition isn’t over until it’s over!
+ Sumbiosi by Aquitaine Bordeaux Campus
+ Solar Decathlon Europe coverage on Inhabitat
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Solar Decathlon Team Aquitaine Bordeaux Campus crowned their Sumbiosi house with a supersolar array of Fresnel lenses that concentrate 500 times more sunlight than the average system. Also equipped with a tracking mechanism, this project’s solar efficiency soars through the roof, which, by the way, can be planted since a smaller area of solar panels are required to meet the home’s energy requirement.
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Fresnel lenses concentrate 500 more sunlight than conventional solar systems
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A rooftop Ventec system also contributes to natural cooling and ventilation
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Flexible design in the interior allows increases space when necessary
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Unlike many of the homes, Sumbiosi provides a great deal of privacy
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Using mostly natural materials, the team from France show tremendous respect for our limited resources
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As you can see, there’s no shortage of daylight in this home
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The kitchen, dining and living area are combined in one compact but spacious area
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Simple but bright furnishings contribute to the home’s aesthetic appeal
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This home produces almost twice as much energy as it needs
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Greywater is cleansed with earthworms and sedentary layers and then reused to irrigate a green roof and wash the car!
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The supersolar array makes space for the green roof, which also contributes to good air quality (conceptually – it has not been installed here in Madrid for practical reasons)
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All materials were sustainably-sourced
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Looks like a good spot for a nap, no?
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The bedrooms are all modular in design
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We love these fresh, clean lines and minimalist design
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Rooftop panels double as shade
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The home’s cladding mitigates excess solar gain
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The solar system produces electricity, hot water and a heat transfer fluid
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Although this team’s ranking is rather low, don’t give up on them yet. This is a beautiful home erected by a team of hardworking kids.
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