Solar Decathlon 2011: FLeX House Expands and Contracts to Beat Florida’s Heat

Florida's 2011 solar decathlon team has conceived a sleek plan to beat the state's crippling summer humidity with this attractive <a href="http://www.flexhouse.org/about/">FLeX House</a>. A flexible, modular building system that can be modified to suit anyone, anywhere, it was especially designed with a young middle-income, sun-kissed Florida couple in mind. Using superior insulation, the <a href="http://inhabitat.com/lung-shaped-fuel-cell-increases-energy-efficiency/">latest energy efficient technologies</a>, and recycled materials -- among an assortment of other techniques and technologies -- the FLeX house aims to be the ultimate <a href="http://inhabitat.com/zero-carbon-and-zero-energy-solar-training-center-opens-in-germany/">net-zero home</a>.

There are so many technologies incorporated into this design, it's difficult to know where to start.

Since Florida is incredibly humid during the summer, it was necessary to conceive a design that would be comfortable year 'round.

Sliding glass panels allow natural ventilation for the cooler months.

An interior water feature will actually remove moisture content from the air, thereby reducing humidity levels.

A smorgasbord of energy efficient technologies in addition to photovoltaic panels and even concentrated thermal systems will provide renewable energy.

The team is gearing up to get their amazing net-zero design off the ground.