Kickstarter

Solar Decathlon:

The Solar Decathlon is a U.S. Department of Energy Sponsored competition which challenges 20 architecture and engineering schools from around the world to design and build a solar-powered, "net-zero" house. Every two years, these 20 teams are chosen among 100+ entries to compete in this important competition. The SCI-Arc / Caltech team ("Team California") are among the chosen teams to design, build and submit a solar powered house to the 2011 solar decathlon in Washington DC this September.

CHIP:

"Compact Hyper Insulated Prototype" - Our objective is to create a design that re-interprets the current technologies and trends in solar housing. Further, we aim to generate a design that is actively responsive to the external (environmental) and internal (human) forces that influence the function of the house. In turn, what we've created is an affordable, minimal foot print house whose energy consumption is drawn completely from the solar panels attached to its roof. Additionally, we've engineered our systems to operate at optimal efficiency, lowering the energy demand. As a result, CHIP is fully conscious of its relationship to its immediate and extended environment while also being widely accessible.

Contribute:

We need your help! As a component of the competition, we are tasked with the responsibilty of raising our own funds to make this house. Your contribution will help us to purchase the materials we need to bring our design to reality. These funds are not only a contribution to our team's hard work, but also to the next chapter in the push to make sustainable energy an essential and attainable component of our everyday lives. Please visit our site at www.chip2011.com for additional info about the project and other ways to contribute. THANK YOU!!!