The team from University of Applied Sciences Frankfurt am Main took a unique approach to this year’s Solar Decathlon by trying to solve urban housing issues. OnTop is a modular unit that can be integrated on top of almost any traditional urban building. This innovative solution blends energy efficiency with urban infill. Designed as a sleek and modern solution for drab downtown city blocks, OnTop not only incorporates low energy solutions within the living unit, but it also has a full solar array integrated onto the roof.
Related: Students Unveil Solar-Powered Rooftop House for an Apartment Block in Berlin
OnTop also took first place in the Social Housing category. Their entry seeks to increase urban density while creating new affordable living spaces. The renovation of the existing buildings helps to keep costs low, while updating the look and feel of the existing cityscape. The world is seeing a youthful demographic change in our cities, and it is creative solutions such as OnTop’s Solar Decathlon entry that will cater to the younger population. OnTop seems to be an economically and socially sustainable solution, as well!
++ OnTop
+ Inhabitat Solar Decathlon Coverage
Photos via Liz Eve for Inhabitat
