WASHINGTON D.C. -- Two years ago, a team of architecture and engineering students from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette set out to build a sustainable, solar-powered home. They accomplished their goal – the BeauSoleil Louisiana Solar Home.
The home has been at the National Mall in Washington, D.C. since early October to compete in the 2009 U.S. Department of Energy’s Solar Decathlon. It’s the only team from Louisiana to ever compete in a solar decathlon and its among 20 teams from across the globe competing in this year’s contest.
Tomorrow, teams will celebrate their accomplishments with an awards ceremony at 8 a.m.
TEAM BeauSoleil from UL Lafayette is celebrating its first place win in Market Viability awarded earlier this week. A jury evaluated the homes on the following criteria:
• Livability – How well the home fits the specific needs of a targeted homeowner and whether it is a safe, comfortable, and convenient place to live,
• Buildability – Whether the home can be built efficiently at a cost-competitive price and constructed the way the team intended it to be built, and
• Marketability – How well the house’s curb appeal, interior appeal, quality craftsmanship, as well as its sustainability features and integration of solar technology, offer potential homebuyers a good value.
TEAM BeauSoleil scored 97 out of 100 possible points.
“We paid a lot of attention to what our culture is all about – our climate, our kitchen,” said Gretchen Lacombe Vanicor, project manager. “We knew from the beginning we had to make this home for the people of Acadiana and Louisiana.”
The Department of Energy will host the official awards ceremony Friday morning. The Engineering Award along with the first, second and third place overall winners will be announced. In addition, a People’s Choice Award will be announced. To vote for TEAM BeauSoleil, text HOUSE76 to 99503. Voting polls close at midnight tonight.
For more information on TEAM BeauSoleil, visit www.beausoleilhome.org.
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