Florida International’s perFORM[D]ance Solar Decathlon House Responds to Its Environment

For the 2011 <a href="http://www.solardecathlon.gov/index.html">Solar Decathlon</a>, the <a href="http://www.solardecathlon.gov/team_florida_international.html">team of students</a> from <a href="http://www.fiu.edu/">Florida International University</a> created a house that responds to its inhabitants and its surrounding environment. Called the <a href="http://solardecathlon.fiu.edu/" target="_blank">perFORM[D]ance House</a>, the structure is networked to respond to external conditions in real time; opening, closing and adjusting to the needs of the hot and humid climate of Florida. The modern single story home recently competed with 18 other eco-friendly prefabs in the biennial design-build competition on the National Mall. Perched on a wooden platform deck, The <a href="http://solardecathlon.fiu.edu/">perFORM[D]ance House</a> is topped with grid of solar arrays arranged in scales on its flat roof and surrounded by planters with flowers and greenery.

The moving <a href="http://solardecathlon.fiu.edu/" target="_blank">perFORM[D]ance House</a> has a futuristic design, inspired by <a href="http://inhabitat.com/why-is-everybody-tearing-down-paul-rudolph-houses-and-buildings/" target="_blank">Paul Rudolph</a>’s <a href="http://paulrudolph.blogspot.com/2008/12/cocoonhealy-guest-house-is-available.html" target="_blank">Cocoon House</a>. Floor to ceiling windows line the perimeter of the home, which bring natural lighting into every room.

To protect <a href="http://solardecathlon.fiu.edu/" target="_blank">perFORM[D]ance House</a> inhabitants from the blazing Florida heat, a retractable glazing system was put in place. White <a href="http://www.industriallouvers.com/" target="_blank">louvers</a> encase the glass, raising or lowering automatically depending on the outside temperature or time of day. They also give privacy to the interior, as well as protect the residents from harsh hurricane winds and other weather elements.

The Florida International University team scored perfectly in the <a href="http://www.solardecathlon.gov/scores_contests_energy_balance.html" target="_blank">Energy Balance category</a>, proving that the <a href="http://solardecathlon.fiu.edu/" target="_blank">perFORM[D]ance House</a>'s responsive design works well.

Outside, the wooden deck is <a href="http://solardecathlon.fiu.edu/design/landscape/" target="_blank">lushly planted</a> with flower beds, herbs, vegetables and fruit. A bio-filtration pond adds serenity, and casts a cool breeze. The large deck area of the <a href="http://solardecathlon.fiu.edu/" target="_blank">perFORM[D]ance House</a> can be used for entertaining, cooking, and leisure. The roof extends over the deck, with an adjustable canopy to provide shade and protection from rain.

The <a href="http://solardecathlon.fiu.edu/design/systems/" target="_blank">photovoltaic lined roof</a> and generates enough power to run all electricity, including the home's ductless heating and cooling. Solar thermal tubes help keep temperatures under control. All systems are contained in <a href="http://solardecathlon.fiu.edu/design/systems/" target="_blank">a central mechanical core</a>, which eliminates the need for extensive wiring and plumbing. Residents can monitor their energy use with the monitoring station.

Now that the Solar Decathlon is over, the <a href="http://solardecathlon.fiu.edu/index.php" target="_blank">perFORM[D]ance House</a> is back at the Florida International University, where it is the visitor pavilion on campus.

Floor plan of Florida International University's <a href="http://solardecathlon.fiu.edu/" target="_blank">perFORM[D]ance House</a>.

Cross section of Florida International University's <a href="http://solardecathlon.fiu.edu/" target="_blank">perFORM[D]ance House</a>.

Full site plan of Florida International University's <a href="http://solardecathlon.fiu.edu/" target="_blank">perFORM[D]ance House</a>.