FollowOver the years, Solar Decathlon (a competition organized by the U.S. Department of Energy) has showcased a myriad of energy efficient conceptions that has influenced and rather inspired our senses. And last year it was no different as the LOW3, a self sustaining solar powered house designed by students of Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC), took the top honors in the category of Architecture.
Self sustenance forms an elemental facet of the LOW3, especially relating to its scope of operation. The designers had decided to take the holistic approach towards this exclusively solar powered structure. This means the collective attribute of the project starting from its construction, complex use of building materials to overall maintenance and up-gradation is based on the sustainable ‘pillars’ of recycling and renewal.
From the perspective of low energy and bio-climatic effect, the material components had been selected in relation to their LCA (life cycle analysis). The ‘green’ structure had also been envisaged as a contributing element to efficient urban spatial density. So, the collective feature is not just limited to the constitutional components of the singular structure, but rather extends to the scope of surrounding land use. And hence, finally the successful combination of the detailed literature study and its application in the practical side of affairs has now converted this fascinating solar house into a ‘living laboratory’.
Source: ecofriend
LOW3: Self-sustaining solar house becomes ‘Living Lab’ at ETSAV’s campus
