SOLAR DECATHLON LATIN AMERICAN & CARIBBEAN 2015
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Solar Decathlon: The Competition
The Solar Decathlon is the largest sustainable architecture competition in the world and in 2015, the first edition for Latin America and the Caribbean took place. The essence of the competition was to build a self-sustainable, low-income housing project using cutting-edge technology and innovative systems at costs in line with the project's target context.
In December 2015 Cali, Colombia witnessed the ingenuity and creativity of 15 university teams that competed to create the most sustainable housing. The countries that participated in this edition were: Germany, Spain, USA, England, Mexico, Panama, Peru, Colombia and Uruguay represented by La Casa Uruguaya.
The spirit of SDLAC 2015 was to educate, sensitize and raise awareness of the importance of the use of renewable energies and propose new scientific and technological challenges for the Decathletes who should design a low-cost housing, with the highest energy efficiency and maximum comfort to demonstrate that the use of these technologies is an accessible resource for all social levels.
In December 2015 Cali, Colombia witnessed the ingenuity and creativity of 15 university teams that competed to create the most sustainable housing. The countries that participated in this edition were: Germany, Spain, USA, England, Mexico, Panama, Peru, Colombia and Uruguay represented by La Casa Uruguaya.
The spirit of SDLAC 2015 was to educate, sensitize and raise awareness of the importance of the use of renewable energies and propose new scientific and technological challenges for the Decathletes who should design a low-cost housing, with the highest energy efficiency and maximum comfort to demonstrate that the use of these technologies is an accessible resource for all social levels.
La Casa Uruguaya: The Prototype
The house was designed to be functional and comfortable, designed for large families in a small space. This was achieved within a 75m2 design with a clear circulation inside that separates the common areas, living room, kitchen and bathroom from the private rooms such as the bedrooms, as well as contributing to the flow of the house. Due to bioclimatic and sustainable reasons, the house is covered by a vertical wooden sunshade that functions as an external solar protection that shields the house, insulating it from external threats and making it thermally more efficient.
The first section of the house is where daily activities take place, these places are: living room and dining room. These will be the rooms most used by families to spend more time together, so they need a spacious and comfortable place, able to accommodate various activities. The second section is where the more passive activities take place, bedrooms and the multifunctional room that can have different functions depending on the homeowner. The third section contains the household facilities, bathroom and kitchen.
In order to make the design and construction of the house more efficient the "wet" core area was projected, built independently from the rest of the house and where the main part of the plumbing system is located. In this 12m2 "wet" core area is where the bathroom and kitchen are located, so it is possible for them to move as a unit and it will be easier to solve any difficulties regarding the plumbing system.
The first section of the house is where daily activities take place, these places are: living room and dining room. These will be the rooms most used by families to spend more time together, so they need a spacious and comfortable place, able to accommodate various activities. The second section is where the more passive activities take place, bedrooms and the multifunctional room that can have different functions depending on the homeowner. The third section contains the household facilities, bathroom and kitchen.
In order to make the design and construction of the house more efficient the "wet" core area was projected, built independently from the rest of the house and where the main part of the plumbing system is located. In this 12m2 "wet" core area is where the bathroom and kitchen are located, so it is possible for them to move as a unit and it will be easier to solve any difficulties regarding the plumbing system.
Results
During the competition throughout the year, the Solar Decathlon jury evaluated the following content:
Architecture / 2. Engineering and Construction / 3. Energy Efficiency / 4. 5. Comfort Conditions / 6. House Operation / 7. Communication and Social Consciousness / 8. Urban Design, Transportation and Affordability / 9. Sustainability.
After the competition, La Casa Uruguaya won two first prizes, three second prizes and was selected as the Public's Favorite House, thus becoming the winner of the Solar Decathlon Latin America and Caribbean 2015 competition.
Architecture / 2. Engineering and Construction / 3. Energy Efficiency / 4. 5. Comfort Conditions / 6. House Operation / 7. Communication and Social Consciousness / 8. Urban Design, Transportation and Affordability / 9. Sustainability.
After the competition, La Casa Uruguaya won two first prizes, three second prizes and was selected as the Public's Favorite House, thus becoming the winner of the Solar Decathlon Latin America and Caribbean 2015 competition.
Innovation - First Prize
Estimate the incorporation of creative solutions to improve the conventional state of the residential sector around Architecture, Engineering and Construction, Energy Efficiency, Urban Design and Affordability.
Energy Consumption - First Prize
Measure the electrical energy self-sufficiency of the home through a balance between electricity generation and consumption.
Sustainability - Second Prize
Considering the reduction of environmental impact, evaluate strategies to adequately manage the issues of Architecture, Engineering and Construction, Energy Efficiency, Urban Design and Affordability.
Comfort - Second Prize
Measure the interior conditions of the house, such as temperature, humidity, acoustics, lighting and air quality. These are the indicators considered to evidence the feeling of comfort in each housing solution.
Performance - Second Prize
Measure the efficiency and functionality of a set of appliances to ensure the normal operation of the home.
