Prefab Ekó Solar Decathlon House is an Awesome Sustainable Housing Solution for Brazil

Although Team Rhône-Alpes won the architecture prize at the <a href="http://inhabitat.com/solar-decathlon/">2012 Solar Decathlon Europe</a> with their <a href="http://inhabitat.com/modular-canopea-house-by-team-rhone-alpes-has-a-crown-of-dappled-light/">modular Canopea house</a>, the competition is far from over. <a href="http://ekobrasil.org/en/">Team Brasil</a> is still in the running with their <a href="http://inhabitat.com/solar-powered-eko-house-from-brazil-is-a-modular-smart-home-with-a-compost-toilet/">prefab Ekó House</a> - a genuinely sustainable design that could cure their home country's dearth of affordable housing. Focusing less on high-tech and more on proudly Brazilian humanistic interventions, this group used sustainably-sourced natural materials and prefab methods that slash construction costs and times. Despite its emphasis on low-tech, this gorgeous solar-powered home produces a whopping 21.157 kWh per year - three times more energy than it consumes.

Team Brasil went for a low-tech, high-human approach to their Eko House

The Eko House was constructed using mostly sustainably-sourced wood

A sliding bamboo screen provides protection from the sun

Here we see the screen completely closed

There's a gap between the bamboo screen and house, which promotes natural ventilation

This home collects rainwater that is then recycled

Inside, the house is light and spacious

The kitchen and dining area are organized on one side of the house

Notice the lamps? They are made with recycled cardboard

The study area links the bedroom and dining room

The OSB prefabricated panels are equipped with glass wool insulation to mitigate thermal loss

The bedroom area opens onto a lounge. This home is perfect for a single person or couple.

This home is particularly well-lit and yet exceptionally comfortable thanks to passive design

A panel elongates the length of the house

Great emphasis was placed on sourcing materials locally and sustainably

The modern bathroom boasts a compost toilet

Bamboo is one of the most renewable materials on the planet and it is durable to boot.

Blinds provide additional solar protection

An outdoor patio extends the interior space

Take one last look at Team Brasil's stellar work!