Photo Credit: Stefano Paltera/U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon
A WaterShed Moment at the 2011 Solar Decathlon
by Shannon D. Sentman, Principal, Sol Vista Consulting LLC, Chair of the Board of the USGBC-NCR Chapter
Of the 19 entries in the 2011 Solar Decathlon, there are plenty to gawk at. There is one shaped like a turtle, another that would steal every scene in a 'Miami Vice' reboot, and another that looks astonishingly like a giant, white, puffy ski parka with a couple of windows carved out. Like I said - amazing to stare at - but there was only one home in the temporary village that sprung up in this little corner of the National Mall that our tour group wanted to move into - immediately - 'WaterShed;' designed and built by a team from the University of Maryland.
From the very first step of our tour, team members were touting the home's 'wet core.' Now, to most homeowners, a 'wet core' sounds like something to avoid like the plague - conjuring up thoughts of flooded basements, sump pumps, and mold. But, water is at the heart of this home. WaterShed's design was inspired by the Chesapeake Bay ecosystem and includes technologies to save water as well as energy. WaterShed collects, filters, recycles, and reuses water. With a roof that looks like two inverted butterfly wings, the design highlights the path of a water drop. Storm water collected from a sloped, modular, green roof is directed down a central axis to the 'wet core' of the home, where it intersects with grey water used inside. To regulate humidity, the living space also features two indoor 'waterfalls; - a UMD invention by the way. With 42 photovoltaic panels and a solar water heating system, WaterShed's power system is designed to harvest 100% of its electrical energy needs from the sun. And, there is no need to keep one finger on the thermostat in this home. WaterShed's central controller is linked to sensors throughout the house in order to monitor and adjust temperature, humidity, and light levels. Quite frankly, it is a gorgeous one-bedroom home: A whole lot of purpose built into an aesthetically pleasing package. The layman among us (a self-professed fan of 'small spaces') was enthralled by an innovative layout that made a very small house feel very spacious and comfortable. Each piece of furniture is designed for double (even triple) duty: the bed transforms into a conference table; the kitchen counter can morph into a kitchen island or a kitchen table. The interior is also remarkably bright thanks to translucent panels that let in light while transferring less heat than a traditional window. Admittedly, my role as an adjunct lecturer at University of Maryland may tarnish my objectivity, but I am supported by the current standings for the contest, which show WaterShed as the lead. You can decide if it is the best entry for yourself by stopping by the Solar Decathlon. The contest is open through October 2nd at West Potomac Park, and is free and open to the public. Click here for more information. You can also show your support for WaterShed online, by voting for it in the People's Choice Award contest at the 2011 Solar Decathlon.