Wednesday, September 14, 2011

The 2011 Solar Decathlon: Three Entrants Which Included Food Growing in their Models

Each year, as a blogger, I've enjoyed covering the U.S. Department of Energy's Solar Decathlon which takes place on the National Mall in Washington D.C. In this post, I've picked three of the college student's models which each incorporated gardens into their plans. At the end is a link to view all of the contest model videos, if you wish, including entries from China, New Zealand, and Canada, too!

We should all pay attention, because I do believe that small, energy efficient houses incorporating growing your own food spaces are the way of the future. A house doesn't have to be expensive to provide reliable shelter, either, but we American's have a hard time imagining something other than what is being thrown at us by the profit-driven developers in the housing industry.

Less will be more. Stuff will be less.
K.M.

1) The modern homestead from Appalachian State University:



2) Not surprisingly, from Middlebury, Vermont, we get a team which includes food growing in their design:



3) Florida International University's model also has an outdoor eating garden:



Go here to see each of the college contestants project videos.