Team California’s Refract House Starts 2,848 Mile Trek to the 2009 Solar Decathlon

Team California Refract House for 2009 Solar Decathlon: Wood Clad Exterior Elevation. (Photo by Oliver Shay)

It’s the 2009 Solar Decathlon, but the journey began two years ago:  16 design proposals narrowed down to one winning scheme, design development, refinement, hours of hard work, construction, close-in, and finally, today’s auspicious send-off for the Refract House.

Team California, a partnership between the California College of the Arts and Santa Clara University, has been working furiously to put the finishing touches on its 800 square foot, net-zero energy Refract House in preparation for loading it on to a flat-bed truck which will travel to the National Mall in Washington, DC for the 2009 Solar Decathlon.

Team California Refract House for 2009 Solar Decathlon: View of the Kitchen and Living Area. (Photo by Oliver Shay)
Team California Refract House for 2009 Solar Decathlon: View of Kitchen and Hallway. (Photo by Oliver Shay)

Conceived in 1999, the Solar Decathlon is a competition sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy that challenges each of the 20 invited college and university teams to design, build, and operate an attractive and energy-efficient solar-powered house.  It is a powerful platform in which students and faculty can explore the possibilities, push the envelope in creating green buildings utilizing renewable energy and energy efficient technologies, and consequently share that knowledge with the general public.

Team California Refract House for 2009 Solar Decathlon: Central Courtyard Anchored by Building Ends which Still Need to be Completed. (Photo by Oliver Shay)
Team California Refract House for 2009 Solar Decathlon: Exterior Elevation of the Kitchen. (Photo by Oliver Shay)

In 2007, the Santa Clara University team which was comprised of engineering students received 3rd place.  For the upcoming event, the team invited California College of the Arts students to participate as the design partners.  The collaboration of over 100 students and faculty members has resulted in a handsome, wood-clad house that wraps around a courtyard anchored on one end by a reclaimed water storage pond and a terraced edible garden.

Team California Refract House for 2009 Solar Decathlon: Preparation for the Warmboard Radiant Panel Which is Also Serving as the Structural Subfloor in the Bathroom. (Photo by Oliver Shay)
Team California Refract House for 2009 Solar Decathlon: Energy and Water Usage Monitoring System. (Photo by Oliver Shay)

The Refract House utilizes design strategies that help occupants consume less energy and water than they would in a standard house:  effective window placements (encourages less lighting usage), an energy and water monitoring system, a 14 Kw solar photovoltaic system, low-flow plumbing fixtures, a greywater treatment system which filters reclaimed rainwater, and a radiant heating and cooling system integrated into the structural floor and ceiling system.  The integration and coordination of these features define the basis to compete in 10 contests (architecture, market viability, engineering, lighting design, communications, comfort zone, hot water, appliances, home entertainment, and net metering).

Team California Refract House for 2009 Solar Decathlon: Send Off Celebration with Stephen Beal (California College of the Arts President), Richard King (U.S. DOE Director of the Solar Decathlon), Allison Kopf (Student Project Manager), Patricia Mahan (Santa Clara Mayor), Michael Splinter (Applied Materials CEO), Michael Engh, S.J. (Santa Clara University President), and Kyle Belcher (Student Project Manager). (Photo by Oliver Shay)
Team California Refract House for 2009 Solar Decathlon: Applied Materials CEO Michael Splinter at the Send Off Celebration. (Photo by Oliver Shay)

After developing 200 pages of construction drawings and 400+ pages of specifications, the students have definitely gained valuable experience in team work, project management, fundraising, outreach, and the design and construction of a sustainable model of net-zero energy building.  As Mr. Michael Splinter, the CEO of Applied Materials, stated in today’s celebration, “the Refract House is a symbol of our future.”  Go Team California!

About Mignon O'Young 88 Articles
Mignon O’Young, Editor, is a California licensed architect, LEED Accredited Professional, and Certified Green Building Professional with more than 15 years of experience in the design, construction, green building, and affordable housing development industries.

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