For those not familiar, this Bi-annual event takes place on the National Mall in Washington D.C. amidst the political rallies and museum goers that make our nations capital what it is. For two weeks in October the Mall becomes a stage for some of the most innovative and promising new technologies in passive, sustainable, and green home building. Twenty colleges and universities are invited to participate in this ‘decathlon’ of events to see which will be crowned the victor.
Members of O Z I I O made the not so long trip to the event this past week to bring back some thoughts on the festivities, as well as some very inspiring photos. The German house won the event with it’s minimalist design and high efficiency output. The attention to craft was well apparent inside and out, combining L.E.D. technology, solar array, and renewable materials.
Houses we liked were the Arizona House for it’s fusion of contemporary design (the ceiling becomes the wall becomes the floor), its use of new sustainable methods of building such as resin impregnated wood pulp to make counters and modular wall panels, and its method of trapping solar heat in water pockets that lined their south facing windows (genius).
In summary, the event was amazingly attended which might be an indicator that sustainable home building will not just be a fad, but possibly something here to stay.
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