Skip Navigation to main content U.S. Department of Energy's Solar Decathlon
U.S. Department of Energy's Solar Decathlon
2005 Home
About Solar Decathlon
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The U.S Department of Energy's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy is the primary sponsor of the Solar Decathlon.



Architecture

(200 points)

Teams are required to design and build attractive, high-performance houses that integrate solar and energy efficiency technologies seamlessly into home design. Scoring well in Architecture is crucial; teams can earn up to 200 points — more points than any other contest. A jury of esteemed architects tour the team homes to judge the Architecture contest. They will evaluate three main factors:

  • Firmness — the house's strength, suitability, and appropriateness of materials for the building

  • Commodity — ease of entry into the house and circulation among the public and private zones; architectural strategy used to accommodate the technologies required to run the house; and generosity and sufficiency of space in the house

  • Delight — surprises, unusual use of ordinary materials, or use of extraordinary materials in the house.

Printable Version


 
Photo of Virginia Tech's house at night, showing a curved roof and translucent walls.

Virginia Tech's innovative design led the team to victory in the Architecture contest in 2005.


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U.S. Department of EnergyNREL - National Renewable Energy LaboratoryAIA - American Institute of ArchitectsASHRAE - American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning EngineersNAHB - National Association of Home BuildersUSGBC - U.S. Green Building CouncilBPSprint