WHEN: October 3rd thru 6th & 10th thru 13th, 11am to 7 pm
WHERE: The Great Park, Irvine, CA
COST: $0 – it’s free!
Let the games begin. Over the past few days, an open expanse has been transformed into a village of cool, energy efficient homes. There is genius at work here, to say nothing of collaboration and innovation as teams from all over the world go head-to-head in competition. It’s the Annual Solar Decathlon, and we are proud that it is held right here in SoCal, an hour south of LA in OC’s Great Park.
From their website: “The U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon is an award-winning program that challenges collegiate teams to design, build, and operate solar-powered houses that are cost-effective, energy-efficient, and attractive. The winner of the competition is the team that best blends affordability, consumer appeal, and design excellence with optimal energy production and maximum efficiency.”
“Open to the public free of charge, the Solar Decathlon gives visitors the opportunity to tour the houses, gather ideas to use in their own homes, and learn how energy-saving features can help them save money today.”
So what is there to see? Here’s a rendering of a house called LISI by Team Austria, from the Vienna University of Technology. Tour it in person and see how this stunning home was conceived and built.
One of two local teams in competition hails from USC. “In designing fluxHome, the University of Southern California team focused on developing a truly accessible model for energy-independent, low-cost housing that reflects the best qualities of indoor-outdoor living in Southern California.”
We reported a few months ago on a second local team in the decathlon, comprised of students from SCI-Arc and CalTech. It is truly inspiring to these young minds at work designing homes that will most certainly influence our future landscape here in the LA area.
For more info about this fun, free and very informative event, head to the Solar Decathlon website. This is a great opportunity, we hope to see you there!
To receive new listings by email, or to schedule a viewing click here!
Photos courtesy of Eric Grigorian of the US Dept. of Energy. Renderings by Team Vienna and USC.
