Missouri University of Science and Technology (Missouri S&T) is proud to announce that it has been selected to its 4th Solar Decathlon competition, one of only two schools to do. This time the team is partnering up with the University of Missouri – Columbia to bring the exciting world of Solar Decathlon to them. This collaboration has resulted in the team being christened the Show-Me Solar Team. Stemming from its Missouri roots of being the Show Me State, the team wants to show the people of Missouri that solar living is right for them, right now. Combining the University of Missouri's architecture with Missouri S&T's engineering creates the best of both worlds for both universities. The house combines stunning architecture with technological marvels to create a house that anyone would want to live in. The team has high hopes for this project both in competition and for educating the people of the United States, Midwest and Missouri. Having more students will allow the team to extend its outreach activities and broaden its educational activities. Through education many more people will be able to learn from us and help Missouri to become more green.
The Show-Me Solar home is a sustainable structure that harvests all of its energy needs directly from the sun. The modern style of the home is governed by a modular 3 foot grid on which everything connects, leaving the design simple for construction with crisp, elegant lines unifying the interior and exterior spaces. Composed of local, eco-friendly materials, this modular home can be easily transported and accommodates a variety of lifestyles. Using this design, the elongated axis, defined by the line of passage, provide generous southern exposure for solar gain as well as a sequential order from public to private spaces.
The underlying idea of "expanding" horizons" is the educational part of this home's concept. The integrated technologies of the home's systems, from the solar panels to the home automations, incorporate themselves into daily life and the occupant can easily become familiarized with the value of solar technology.
"Expanding horizons" is physically expressed in the home through the horizontal louvers, the lines created by the windows on the southern and northern elevations, the consistent 7 ½ foot interior walls, and the main longitudinal axis.
