UF teamed with USF, FSU and UCF to compete in the 2011 Solar Decathlon.
Team Florida, a collaboration of four major Florida research universities,competed this fall in the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon 2011. FLeX House, a flexible modular, pre-fabricated building system that can adapt easily to different site situations and resident needs, was devised from a partnership between students and faculty from UF, USF, FSU and UCF. Team Florida was one of 20 teams in the biennial competition, which challenges college students to design and build energy-efficient, affordable and attractive solar-powered homes.
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It’s the second time in two years UF has participated in a solar decathlon. Last year, UF’s Solar Decathlon team took home the People’s Choice award at Solar Decathlon Europe. RE:FOCUS, as the Florida Cracker-inspired house was called, was one of only two U.S. entries in the competition. Students in architecture, building construction and engineering took part in designing the stylish solar home.
VIEW A PHOTO GALLERY OF THE 2010 HOUSE, RE:FOCUS
For both homes, emphasis was placed on sustainable but comfortable living.
“We are making a contribution to our health and well being, and those of future generations,” said Maruja Torres-Antonini (PhD ’01), a faculty adviser from UF’s College of Design, Construction and Planning who participated in this year’s project.