Virginia Tech Lumenhaus Wins the 2010 Solar Decathlon!

<h3><big>The winner of the 2010 European Solar Decathlon is Virginia Tech for the Lumenhaus!</big></h3>Over the last couple weeks we at Inhabitat watched the <a href="http://www.inhabitat.com/solar-decathlon">2010 Solar Decathlon Design Competition</a> roll out 17 fantastic solar-powered prefab homes, showing the world that completely self-sustaining shelters can easily become a reality if we invest in solar technology. Over one thousand students took part in this<a href="http://www.sdeurope.org/index.htm"> phenomenal architectural design-build competition</a> which challenges collegiate teams to design, build, and operate solar-powered houses that are cost-effective, energy-efficient, and attractive to boot. A true test of <a href="http://www.inhabitat.com/sustainable-building">durable, effective design </a>, the students not only faced rigorous juried evaluation, but they were also confronted with several challenges posed by Mother Nature herself - including the relentless beating sun and a wild thunderstorm! An exhilarating race from start to finish, some houses fell behind the pack, while a clear group of winners <a href="http://inhabitat.com/2010/06/25/lumenhaus-pulls-ahead-at-the-solar-decathlon-with-smart-adaptable-design/">gradually took the lead at the forefront</a>, and now, we are thrilled to finally announce that the winner of this year’s <a href="http://www.sdeurope.org/index.htm">Solar Decathlon Europe</a> is <a href="http://inhabitat.com/2010/06/25/lumenhaus-pulls-ahead-at-the-solar-decathlon-with-smart-adaptable-design/">Virginia Tech</a>, for their luminous <a href="http://inhabitat.com/2010/06/25/lumenhaus-pulls-ahead-at-the-solar-decathlon-with-smart-adaptable-design/">Lumenhaus</a>!

We can't help but be excited by an American win at the European Solar Decathlon, especially since <a href="http://inhabitat.com/2009/10/16/germanys-solar-coated-surplushome-wins-solar-decathlon/">German teams</a> have <a href="http://inhabitat.com/2007/10/19/germany-wins-the-2007-solar-decathlon/">kicked butt</a> at the U.S Solar Decathlon for <a href="http://inhabitat.com/2007/10/19/germany-wins-the-2007-solar-decathlon/">3 years running now</a>. <a href="”">Virgina Tech's Lumenhaus</a> is a potent design that embraces the Bauhaus tradition and illuminates sustainable technology, all the while packing spacious-style living into just 800 square foot space. Additionally, its central concept of an adaptable exterior wall that adjusts automatically to variable weather conditions has proven to be a winning strategy in garnering attention.

The <a href="”">Lumenhaus</a> maintains a solar screen that lets light in while keeping the hot Spanish sun out. Coupled with an aero gel thermal panel, the walls an actually have three systems able to perform at an optimal level, irregardless of any extreme weather that may be incurred.

The <a href="”">Lumenhaus'</a> interior is as equally adaptable as the rooms, and it can easily be transformed to suit particular lighting and comfort needs.

Coming in second place was the <a href="//inhabitat.com/2010/06/21/germany-unveils-super-efficient-ikaros-solar-decathlon-house/”">IKAROS House </a> designed by the University of Applied Sciences. This stunner boasts an incredible shading system, superb energy efficiency and a large solar system capable of generating more than four times the power needed for the home.

The <a href="//inhabitat.com/2010/06/21/germany-unveils-super-efficient-ikaros-solar-decathlon-house/”">IKAROS House </a> is characterized by a zig-zag design that is even apparent on the interior. This unique application both functions to shade the home and optimizes the use of sunlight as it changes during the day and throughout the seasons.

With its sturdy construction, École Nationale Supérieure d’Architecture de Grenoble's <a href="http://inhabitat.com/2010/06/25/sun-powered-armadillo-box-closes-in-on-solar-decathlon-finals/">Armadillo Box</a> shows that prefab design is a truly a force to be reckoned with, and it's no surprise it ranked in the top three coming in third place. A simple and effective shell of solar panels provide a modern finish that is also able to keep the house cool inside.

The interior of the<a href="http://inhabitat.com/2010/06/25/sun-powered-armadillo-box-closes-in-on-solar-decathlon-finals/">Armadillo Box</a> has been designed to be simple, efficient and flexible. Spaces can easily be expanded with the large doors that open onto a deck. Furniture was designed to be easily shifted in various configurations that would allow the residents to maximize the functionality of the interior area.

<a href="http://inhabitat.com/2010/06/22/stuttgart-universitys-shimmering-high-tech-solar-home/">Stuttgart University's home+</a> is a shimmering solar powered gem that performs as efficiently as it looks.

The <a href="http://inhabitat.com/2010/06/22/stuttgart-universitys-shimmering-high-tech-solar-home/"> home+</a> also provides elegant living quarters and a proven heating and cooling system.

A sun-powered house flanked by solar walls and capped by a solar roof, <a href="http://www.inhabitat.com/2010/06/24/wuppertal-house-provides-brilliant-built-in-solar-powered-living-space/">Bergische University's Wuppertal House</a> provides a lot of power and a multitude of spaces to enjoy the Mediterranean sun.

The <a href="//inhabitat.com/2010/06/24/finlands-luukku-house-wins-architecture-prize-at-solar-decathlon/”"> Luukku House</a> by Aalto University of Finland follows a longstanding Finnish tradition of extensive and inventive use of wood as a central construction material.

Our site reporter was particularly impressed by the <a href="//inhabitat.com/2010/06/24/finlands-luukku-house-wins-architecture-prize-at-solar-decathlon/”"> Luukku House’s</a> cozy interior. It’s no surprise this entrant swept out the competition, winning first prize in the Architecture category.

The very unique technology atop the <a href="http://inhabitat.com/2010/06/23/self-sufficient-napevomo-house-taps-the-sun-for-power-and-hot-water/">Napovomo House </a>is a “micro-combined cycle heat and power” unit — or CHP. The mirror reflects the sun’s rays onto solar electric cells, which are cooled by water running though the back of the panels. This improves the efficiency of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_cell#Gallium_arsenide_multijunction">Gallium Arsenide</a> solar cells, making them upwards of 20% efficient. The overall effort results in a very comfortable home that produces all of its own power and requires zero outside energy.

The <a href="//inhabitat.com/2010/06/23/self-sufficient-napevomo-house-taps-the-sun-for-power-and-hot-water/">Napevomo House</a> is noted for its very unique tack on design where a combo of two powerful technologies into a single system is able to heat the house and provide electricity at the same time.

The University of Florida’s <a href="http://inhabitat.com/2010/06/25/refocus-teaches-an-old-house-new-tricks-at-the-solar-decathlon/">Re:Focus House </a>takes the concept of <a href="http://www.inhabitat.com/page/4/?s=natural+ventilation">natural ventilation</a> through generous shading and modernizes it with a scalable and satisfying design. 

<a href="http://inhabitat.com/2010/06/25/refocus-teaches-an-old-house-new-tricks-at-the-solar-decathlon/">Re:Focus'</a> contemporary window louvers are reclaimed lumber from an old home, and tubular solar electric panels are the choice energy system.</div>

From the <a href="http://www.etsav.upc.edu/">School of Architecture of the Vallès</a> (ETSAV) <a href="http://inhabitat.com/2010/06/25/the-low3-house-brings-affordable-sustainability-to-the-solar-decathlon/">LOW3</a> is named for the fact that it is low energy and low impact, but it differentiates itself by touting that it's also low cost (an attribute that people don't typically associate with <a href="http://inhabitat.com/green-gadgets/">green technology</a>).

The <a href="http://inhabitat.com/2010/06/25/the-low3-house-brings-affordable-sustainability-to-the-solar-decathlon/">LOW3</a> is an ingenious design that combines passive solar architecture with bioclimatic optimization to minimize the house’s energy demand.

The <a href="http://inhabitat.com/2010/06/18/sun-powered-bambu-house-sprouts-at-solar-decathlon-europe/">Bambu House </a>also boasts an impressive<a href="http://inhabitat.com/solar-power/"> solar array</a> that generates 9 kilowatts of electricity that powers its one bedroom, one living room layout. One can also find a temperature and humidity control system, high-level thermal insulation systems, and a bamboo enclosed garden.

The <a href="http://inhabitat.com/2010/06/18/sun-powered-bambu-house-sprouts-at-solar-decathlon-europe/">Bambu House</a> is a beautiful sun-powered abode inspired by nature. It has two elegant sloping roofs and is almost entirely constructed from bamboo.

The <a href="//inhabitat.com/2010/06/21/stunning-fablab-passive-house-unveiled-at-europes-solar-decathlon/”"> FabLab House</a> features a <a href="http://www.inhabitat.com/2010/01/22/space-age-solar-powered-pod-house-unveiled/" target="_blank">photovoltaic skin</a> that is customized for Madrid’s unique solar resources. It is built on three legs and has space underneath for natural ventilation and a shaded patio. FabLab also features smart energy and temperature-monitoring systems, a garden, and a <a href="http://www.inhabitat.com/2009/03/05/cista-rainwater-cachement-by-moss-sund-and-figforty/">rainwater collection system</a> on its roof.

A crowd favorite, the <a href="//inhabitat.com/2010/06/21/stunning-fablab-passive-house-unveiled-at-europes-solar-decathlon/”"> FabLab House</a> is a solar panel-covered passive building designed by a team from the Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia.

Apart from its striking black envelope, the<a href="http://inhabitat.com/2010/06/21/the-super-minimalistic-living-equia-home-keeps-its-cool-at-solar-decathlon-europe/"> Living Equia’s</a> main visual feature is two strips of windows crossing each other through the middle of the house. This simple design aspect allows incredible beaming light to permeate the interior throughout the day.

<a href="http://inhabitat.com/2010/06/21/the-super-minimalistic-living-equia-home-keeps-its-cool-at-solar-decathlon-europe/">Living Equia</a> is designed to run completely off the grid with all of the modern comforts of climate control. This submission is sure to keep the hot Madrid summer at bay.

The <a href="http://inhabitat.com/2010/06/22/space-age-solar-urcomante-house-debuts-at-solar-decathalon-europe/">Urcomante House</a> takes sustainability a long way. With a handsome postmodern facade, the house also features walls and a roof covered in <a href="http://inhabitat.com/solar-power/">photovoltaic panels</a>, and an amply sunlit and adaptable interior with interchangeable rooms.

<a href="http://inhabitat.com/2010/06/22/space-age-solar-urcomante-house-debuts-at-solar-decathalon-europe/">Urcomante’s</a> rooftop <a href="http://inhabitat.com/solar-power/">solar array</a> produces an impressive 10 kWhrs of energy and also features evacuated tube hot water heaters. The side louvers can adjust to let the winter light in and block the harsh summer glare, and the inside is broken into six <a href="http://inhabitat.com/?attachment_id=129077">“modules”</a> that can be reorganized to fit the occupants’ needs.