Kohler Co. has partnered with several collegiate teams competing in the fifth Solar Decathlon, September 23 – October 2 at the National Mall’s West Potomac Park in Washington, D.C., by providing these teams with water-efficient Kohler and Sterling plumbing products.
College students from across the globe representing 20 universities have gathered to develop the most solar energy-efficient house in the competition sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy.
The Solar Decathlon shows consumers how to save money and energy with affordable clean energy products that are available today. The Solar Decathlon also provides participating students with hands-on experience and unique training that prepares them to enter our nation's clean energy workforce.
“I am impressed with the students’ expertise on all aspects of green building – water efficiency, indoor air quality, materials, local sourcing and waste minimization – in addition to the energy efficiency focus of the contest,” said Rob Zimmerman, manager-engineering, sustainability and water conservation for Kohler.
Among the collegiate teams competing for the Solar Decathlon, which specified water-efficient plumbing products from Kohler is Purdue University, Zimmerman’s alma mater. “It’s encouraging that our young engineers, architects, and skilled trades are being educated this way, as they will be designing and constructing the homes, offices, and other buildings we’ll need in the coming years.”
The competing teams selected products designed to be water efficient and perform to expectations, including EPA WaterSense-listed toilets (Dual Flush and 1.28-gallon), showerheads and bathroom faucets, as well as commercial plumbing products including touchless faucets with the company’s award-winning Hybrid Energy System.
Kohler provided fixtures and faucets to Purdue and a handful of other teams such as Team Florida (University of Florida, South Florida, Central Florida and Florida State); Team Massachusetts (Massachusetts College of Art and Design, and the University of Massachusetts at Lowell); The Ohio State University; University of Illinois; Middlebury College; and Parsons The New School for Design and Stevens Institute of Technology. Kohler has been involved in the biennial Solar Decathlon since its inception in 2002.
The U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon challenges collegiate teams to design, build, and operate solar-powered houses that are cost-effective, energy-efficient, and attractive. The winner of the competition is the team that best blends affordability, consumer appeal, and design excellence with optimal energy production and maximum efficiency.
The 2011 Solar Decathlon is open free to the public September 23 through October 2, (10 a.m. – 2 p.m. on weekdays, 10 am-5:30 pm on weekends). BD+C
Related Stories
Religious Facilities | Mar 23, 2015
Is nothing sacred? Seattle church to become a restaurant and ballroom
A Seattle-based real estate developer plans to convert a historic downtown building, which for more than a century has served as a church sanctuary, into a restaurant with ballroom space.
Government Buildings | Mar 23, 2015
SOM leads planning for Egypt’s new $45 billion capital city
To alleviate overcrowding and congestion in Cairo, the Egyptian government is building a new capital from scratch.
BIM and Information Technology | Mar 23, 2015
Skanska hosts three-week 'hackathon' to find architect for Seattle tower development
Searching for a nimble, collaborative design firm for its 2&U tower project in Seattle, the construction giant ditches the traditional RFQ/RFP process for a hackathon-inspired competition.
Healthcare Facilities | Mar 23, 2015
Can advanced elevator technology take vertical hospitals to the next level?
VOA's Douglas King recalls the Odyssey project and ponders vertical transportation in high-rise healthcare design.
Healthcare Facilities | Mar 22, 2015
New Joplin, Mo., hospital built to tornado-resistant standards
The new hospital features a window and frame system that can protect patients from winds of up to 250 mph.
Sports and Recreational Facilities | Mar 19, 2015
Populous design wins competition for UK's most sustainable arena
The live-concert venue will seat an audience of 12,000, which the firm says will be masked by “the atmosphere and intimacy of a 4,000-seat amphitheatre.”
Architects | Mar 18, 2015
Architecture Billings Index rises in February
The ABI score was 50.4 last month, up slightly from a mark of 49.9 in January. This score reflects a minor increase in design services, according to AIA.
Multifamily Housing | Mar 18, 2015
Prefabricated skycubes proposed with 'elastic' living apartments inside
The interiors for each unit are designed using an elastic living concept, where different spaces are created by sliding on tracks.
Architects | Mar 18, 2015
Boston selects finalists in resilient design competition
The competition asks for creative approaches for planning for a not-so-distant future Boston where higher sea levels and more frequent flooding will be real and critical issues to contend with.
Cultural Facilities | Mar 17, 2015
The High Line’s co-designer wins contract for The Underline in Miami
James Corner Field Operations will design the master plan for this 10-mile restoration project.
