The International Solar Decathlon Europe
JUNE 2010, MADRID
Pasquill is part of Saint-Gobain Building Distribution. Saint Gobain is the main sponsor of the University of Nottingham’s entry into the Solar Decathlon Europe; an international competition to design, build and operate an attractive, effective and energy efficient zero carbon solar powered house.
WHAT IS THE SOLAR DECATHLON?
The Solar Decathlon is an International competition for universities to design and build Europe’s most attractive, effective and energy efficient house. Nottingham fought off fierce competition from other UK universities to win through to the final in Madrid, June 2010, competing against 19 other universities from all over the world. Each will be judged on 10 separate environmental areas, from solar systems and sustainability to market viability and architectural merit – giving the competition its title, Solar Decathlon.
There are no short-cuts: each team must build and test a full scale house before transporting it to Madrid to be reassembled for the final. The students will also have to live in the house to demonstrate its effectiveness and energy efficiency.
THE NOTTINGHAM H.O.U.S.E. - A HOME OPTIMISING THE USE OF SOLAR ENERGY
In conjunction with Saint-Gobain, The students at Nottingham University have created a Code Level 6 zero carbon house that is also a Passive House (requires almost no form of active heating) – an industry first for the UK. The house has been constructed entirely from materials supplied or approved by Saint-Gobain’s UK companies, which have joined forces to provide products and technical expertise; working with the students to optimise energy efficiency and create a home that is both eco-friendly and affordable.
A key objective for the students was to ensure that the Nottingham H.O.U.S.E will comply with the UK’s code for sustainable homes (carbon neutral for new build by 2016). The final design is versatile enough to work as a semi-detached house, terraced or even stacked as apartments – a highly marketable starter home - a major requirement in the UK.
This landmark achievement proves that it is possible to build a highly energy efficient, sustainable home that is comfortable, aesthetically pleasing, affordable and repeatable.
The Nottingham H.O.U.S.E will be showcased at this year’s Ecobuild exhibition en route to the final of the International Solar Decathlon, which takes place in Madrid in June 2010.
