The Solar Decathlon is a biennial collegiate competition challenging student teams to design and build full-sized, solar-powered homes with an emphasis on sustainability. This year, 11 teams from institutions across the world will participate in 10 contests that emphasize innovative design, energy efficiency, water use, resident comfort, and market potential. The DOE-sponsored competition, which is open to the public, will be held in Denver from Oct. 5-15. In this daily series, BUILDER takes a look at the innovative features of each of the homes.
Daytona Beach, Fla., students from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and Daytona State College tip their hats to South Florida’s historic Ernest Hemingway House with a Solar Decathlon design inspired by the author’s iconic abode.
The BEACH House, short for “Building Efficient, Affordable, and Comfortable Homes,” incorporates colors and art deco details from the Hemingway House with state-of-the-art sustainable living technologies. Arched supports from the porch column to the ridge beam make reference to the Hemingway House’s iconic arched windows.
Built in 1851, Hemingway House was home to renowned American author Ernest Hemingway from 1931 to 1939. The Old Town Key West home is now a designated U.S. National Historic Landmark and public museum.
Team Daytona Beach calls their Solar Decathlon design a “forever home” that offers age-in-place living and a universal appeal for small families. The sustainable home, which will also be featured at the NAHB International Builders’ Show in Orlando this January, includes Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant features and a simplified living space. The BEACH House is specifically marketed to Generation X empty-nesters who are on the cusp of retirement.
Courtesy DOE/ERAU
“We are not just building a house for a competition,” says Team Daytona Beach’s student communications leader, Natalie Hahn. “We are demonstrating to the public that comfort does not have to be sacrificed to live sustainably and that the innovative technologies we will use in The BEACH House are here today to make life simpler and more affordable as a homeowner.”
Energy features for The BEACH House include a 9.3-kilowatt solar electric array that can provide power in outages, such as those that occur during hurricane season. A hydroponic system collects rainwater from the roof for the garden and landscaping, and can reduce water consumption by up to 80%, the team says.
The BEACH House also features a ductless HVAC system specifically designed for Florida’s hot and humid climate. Instead of a central AC system, Team Daytona Beach designated three separate zones that allow for more resourceful and location-specific climate control. And, since no ducts are needed, there is more space for wall insulation to keep cool air in and hot air out.
When Hurricane Irma struck Florida earlier this month, Team Daytona Beach experienced some real setbacks. Hahn told BUILDER that the team “was very thankful that the only physical damage done to the house itself was some minor water damage. However, the true damage came to the delay in the construction schedule.”
The Florida team lost 10 days of critical construction time while preparing for the storm, evacuating, and attempting to return to a campus that was closed for a week, according to their Facebook posts. At one point Team Daytona Beach wasn’t sure if they could make it to Denver. But Hahn said they weathered the storm thanks to “the outpouring of volunteers and offers of help that came from the community and other individuals participating in the competition.”
