Bob Pettus : KJA Designer
Imagine, a home that generates more energy than it uses, with a design reminiscent of traditional Cajun architecture, that the average home-buyer can afford. Well a group of students believe this is entirely possible…and they’re working to prove they’re right.
My son is one of the believers.
He’s a 3rd year architecture student at University of Louisiana at Lafayette, and will travel this October to the 2009 Solar Decathlon in Washington, D.C., held on the National Mall. The UL team is one of only 20 in the world qualified to compete in this U.S. Department of Energy event.
There, they will assemble the pre-fabricated sections of the prototype BeauSoleil home. Students will have only four days to re-construct it, including functioning plumbing, exterior details, and landscaping. An estimated 200,000 visitors are expected to tour the home.
Design elements stress the importance of passive design, where energy and mechanical systems are added only as needed. Walls are constructed of strong and efficient structural insulated panels, made of foam sandwiched between particle board. The project began two years ago, and has involved more than 200 students and some 100,000 hours.
Taken from the French word for sunshine, its name also recognizes the Grammy-winning Cajun band, BeauSoleil, supporters of the project. Not only is the home designed to meet national standards for environmentally sustainable construction, the UL team went beyond the demands of the contest rules, and created a state-of-the-art, sustainable home that an average Louisiana resident can actually afford. In addition, the traditional dog-trot architecture (an ingenious method of cooling used in the days before A/C) passes on to future generations the culture and heritage of the region.
They’ve made me a believer. Now it’s your turn. Learn more about this incredible project at www.BeauSoleilHome.org.
Used by permission from TEAM BeauSoleil, UL Lafayette, 2009
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July 7, 2009 at 10:49 am |
TOTALLY COOL bob.
Are there prototypes in Lafayette? That normal people can access/view?
July 16, 2009 at 9:37 am |
We have this from Bob’s son… folks more than likely can get in to see BeauSoliel, but probably need to make an appointment. (It’s being built inside a warehouse.) There is another house similar to it in Carencro, designed by Steven Ortego.