As judging takes place in the final of the first international Solar Decathlon Europe Competition in Madrid, the Nottingham H.O.U.S.E (Home Optimising the Use of Solar Energy) has ranked high for its environmental credentials, coming a close second in the sustainability category. Seventeen teams from seven countries and three continents are participating in the contest to design and build a practical, self-sufficient and comfortable solar powered home.
Students from the University of Nottingham’s Department of the Built Environment (DBE) were awarded 115 out of a possible 120 points in the category, which evaluates the teams’ skill and environmental sensitivity for designing and constructing a house with a very low negative impact during its life cycle. The H.O.U.S.E is the UK’s only entry into the contest and has been constructed almost entirely of materials supplied by Saint-Gobain, the main sponsor of the competition.
Following their arrival on site earlier this month, students faced a series of setbacks which they worked together to overcome, ensuring that the H.O.U.S.E was ready to open to the public on 18 June. Torrential rain hit the build site on the banks of the Manzanares river, causing it to flood, and the team lost valuable time as they worked day and night to drain the water from their plot.
As a result of their efforts to address damage to the H.O.U.S.E caused by the flooding students were unable to connect the water, solar thermal and electric systems until after the start of the competition, missing out on points from the daily tasks, such as use of the washing machine to simulate requirements in a family home. All participating teams are asked to complete these tasks, with scores awarded on a cumulative daily basis.
Dr Mark Gillott, the project leader from the Department of the Built Environment said: “The commitment and dedication of the team has been incredible. Students have shown real grit and determination to overcome the challenges caused by the flooding and succeeded against the odds to ensure that the H.O.U.S.E opened to the public on the first day of the competition.
“Our aim when designing the H.O.U.S.E was to develop a practical and comfortable family home with excellent environmental credentials. The reaction from visitors has been extremely positive and we are pleased with the recognition the H.O.U.S.E has received in relation to its sustainability.”
Peter Hindle MBE, General Delegate for Saint-Gobain in the UK, Ireland and South Africa, comments: “Saint-Gobain is committed to the creation of sustainable living environments and due to the breadth and depth of our organisation we were uniquely placed to support the University of Nottingham, providing systems and solutions as well as knowledge and expertise to help the team create a home that would have minimal environmental impact over its lifetime.”
The Nottingham H.O.U.S.E demonstrates how low-energy architecture can lend itself to the mass market with an L-shaped, modular design so versatile it can be worked into terraces, rows or stacked as apartments. The resulting concept is a highly marketable, zero carbon starter home for a new family.
Products from companies including Saint-Gobain Isover, British Gypsum, Weber, Saint-Gobain Glass, Solaglas, International Timber and Jewson have been incorporated to optimise energy efficiency, while John Lewis has specified sustainable furnishings as part of its support for the project.
For further details on the Nottingham H.O.U.S.E. please visit www.solardecathlon.saint-gobain.co.uk. More information regarding Saint-Gobain and its businesses in the UK is available at www.saint-gobain.co.uk.
