U.S. Department of Energy
Challenge Home Student Design Competition

Real-world opportunity for college students to join the race to zero!

U.S. Department of Energy Challenge Home Student Design Competition

Challenge Home Student Design Competition

   

In its inaugural year, 28 teams from U.S. and Canadian universities competed in DOE's Challenge Home Student Design Competition to develop cost-effective zero energy ready homes for mainstream builders. The winning teams produced market-ready, state-of-the-art design solutions for high-performance homes that are energy efficient, comfortable, and durable. The designs are for zero energy ready homes, meaning their high performance features sharply reduce energy use and all or most of the remaining energy use can be offset with renewable energy.

The teams were judged by national experts including leading high-performance builders, building science professionals, and researchers. The main criteria for selection were design/construction strategies, clear project plans, required analyses, overall competency applying best practice solutions and principles of building science from the Department’s Building America program. Building America is the research and development arm of DOE’s Residential Buildings Program, focused on developing cost-effective, market-ready zero energy ready solutions, guidance and tools for new construction and existing homes. (View professional photos taken during the 2014 competition.)

The following teams were recognized as the 2014 DOE Challenge Home Student Design Competition winners:

Grand Winners

Best Design Solution Integration

Best Technical Integration

Best Presentation

Best Production Home Integration

Special Recognition for Subject Area Excellence

Congratulations to all of the 2014 winners. Information on the 2015 competition, and an option to subscribe to receive email updates, is available on the DOE website