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PROJECT ICARUS. Solar Decathlon 2007.type Academic. Georgia Institute of Technologyyear 2006-2007location Atlanta, Georgia / Washington, D.C.site Mobile Structure: National Mall / Georgia Tech / Telus Museumclient DOESolarDecathlon2007program Single family residence reliant solely on photovoltaicssize 800 s.f.materials Aluminum, Polycarbonate, Wood, Steel, AeroGel, Glasscontribution Designer, Researcher, Project Leader, Construction Leader, Docentprofessor Franca Trubiano, Russell Gentry, Ruch Choudary, Chris Jarrett

At Georgia Tech we proudly kept Project ICARUS as a student project. ICARUS was designed, documented, constructed, and operated by a team of students with the guidance of interdisciplinary gatech professors and Atlanta professionals.

Georgia Tech’s house harnesses and celebrates the sun’s power. As in the Greek tale of the architect DaedalusandhissonIcaruswhoembarkedonaflighttothesun,sotoothemodernfascinationwithbuilding “lighter” and more “transparent” buildings is presumed to be at odds with “energy conservation.” And yet, at no other time in the history of construction have advances in materials technology and energy systems design rendered Icarus’ vision more realizable. Exploring the paradox of “lightness” and “energy conservation” is the inspiration that guides the design and construction of Georgia Tech’s Solar Decathlon House.

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The solar decathlon is a competition sponsored by the Department of Energy for 20 invited international university teams. The goal is to build, operate, and compete with the most attractive, effective, and energy-efficientsolar-poweredhouse.

The competition is divided into 10 scored categories, hence the name: fivesubjective(archtecture,engineering,marketviability,communications,lighting)andfiveobjective(appliances,hot water, energy balance, getting around, comfort zone).

The event takes place on the National Mall in Washington, DC.Theteamshaveoneweekforfinalconstructionandset up, a week of competition and monitoring, a week of open house to the public, and a week to disassemble.

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SOUTH

EAST NORTH

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SUSTAINING LIFE WITH LIGHT

Through this we explored the architecture through fivestrongholds.

Light RoofBuilding Integrated PhotoVolatics (BIPV), Adjustible Shading, Transulcent Double Skin, Aerogel, Rainscreen, Clerestory

Light MaterialsPolycarbonate, Louvers, Structurally-Insulated Pane (SIP), Bio-Based Insulation

Light PowerBatteres, Electric Car, Inverters

Light TechnologiesEvacuated Tubes, Mini-Split Heart Pump, Optimal Controller, Energy Recovery Ventilator (ERV), Rainwater Harversting Cooling Machines, Water Management, Solar Lights

Light LivingLivability, Accessibility, Buildability, Flexibility, Daylighting, LED’s, Flourescent Lighting, Lighing Control

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gtg383y 8 5/2007 1 55 4 1 PMA ea Measuremen t

Area

16 03 sq ft

gtg383y 8/6/2007 3 37 09 AMArea Measu rement

Area

738 80 sq ft

the CLOSETS

document collaboration

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early concept: TECHNO CELL. the tech core.

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TECH CORE + FABRICATION

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the unveiled design

the MARKETThe house is designed in response to two growing market groups: _ young achievers and fast-track professionals_ empty nesters and active retirees

the CREATIVE CLASS Some 38 million Americans, belong to what author Richard Florida calls the Creative Class. The core of the Creative Class include people in science and engineering, education, arts, architecture and design, music, and entertainment, whose economic function is to create new ideas, new technology and/or new creative content.

This market sector of society engages in complex problem solving that involves a great deal of independent judgment. It also requires high levels of education and human capital. In addition, all members of the Creative Class share a common creative ethos that values creativity, individuality, difference, and merit.

EMPTY NESTERSThis target group is ready to ‘down-size’ for a number of environmentally-friendly, high-tech ‘upgrades.’ The expense and aggravation of continued repairs to older stock housing with poorly-insulated walls and roofs, and expanse of dark spaces overwhelm many of these household types.

New housing, with new high performance, low energy systemsandapplianceswithfloorplansthatmatchcontemporary live-work lifestyles has been a compelling draw for older households that spend more time work-ing creatively at home.