The Solar Decathalon is a biennial event, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy, that challenges teams of architecture students from across the country to design, build, and operate solar-powered houses that are beautiful and energy- and cost-efficient. The Decathlon culminates in a week-long set of public workshops, events, and a major exhibition of projects in a prominent location in Washington D.C. where a winner is chosen.
These are BIG projects that take lots of time, collaboration, and effort but are also one of the most public ways in which architecture students and faculty show off their talent, ideas, and excitement about what architecture can do in the world. And the students clearly are having fun while learning!
Which house among those in this exhibit would you want to live in? Enjoy the following images taken from the 2011 event, and consider visiting the National Mall presentation in 2013...
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Image 1 - 6 > Photos from U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon 2011, Washington DC.
Image 7 > The final design for "Hale Pilihonua," University of Hawaii's 2011 Solar Decathlon entry.