UT Solar Decathlon / Team Tennessee
UT Solar Decathlon / Team Tennessee
窶馬ational geographic
problem
| context
|
p r o c e s s solutions |
2011 Solar Decathlon Competition / Team Living Light The U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon 2011 is an international competition held on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. for interdisciplinary student-led teams to design and build solar-powered, energy-efficient homes. This year, Team Living Light of the University of Tennessee, Knoxville is one of just 20 competitors selected to participate in this prestigious event. In less than two years the teams will compete against each other to design and build a home that will be judged for its excellence in ten categories: Architecture, Market Appeal, Communications, Engineering, Affordability, Comfort Zone, Hot Water, Appliances, Home Entertainment and Energy Balance. Each category is worth about 100 points. The winning team produces a house that: —Is affordable, attractive, and easy to live in —Maintains comfortable and healthy indoor environmental conditions —Supplies energy to household appliances for cooking, cleaning, and entertainment —Provides adequate hot water —Produces as much or more energy than it consumes.
3D rendering of living light home
problem
| context
|
p r o c e s s solutions |
Overall Goals
This written component of our Case Study focuses some of the architectural, engineering and Communication aspects of the competition. Our website: www.livinglightutk.com explains the full systems of the house in more detail.
The 6 goals of our Communications Team are to: 1) Provide input during the Architectural Design phase 2) Create a name and appropriate identity for the Living Light home. 3) Raise the necessary funds ($850,000!!) to build and transport the house to Washington, DC. 4) Develop a website and other communication materials to explain all aspects of the project to the general public 5) Generate excitement and increase awareness for the project through social media sites as well as events on and off campus. 6) Communicate the benefits of using Solar Energy to the surrounding community.
living light team
problem
| context
|
p r o c e s s solutions |
Interdisciplinary Student Project UT’s Team Living Light involves more than 200 students from 7 departments across campus including the College of Architecture and Design, the College of Engineering, the College of Business Administration, and the College of Arts and Sciences. Working together, these students and faculty have developed a design for an easily transportable 800 square foot house for the competition. All students are considered
on equal footing with the rest of the students and have the opportunity to provide input into all aspects of the house design—from the Architectural plans and Engineering to Business Administration and Communications. The teams have overlapped numerous times during the ongoing phases of the project. While teachers are on hand to help facilitate, the project is driven by student ideas, and Graphic Design:
realized through their talents and skills.
Graduate Team Leaders: Jarred Elrod Buck Kahler
Over the course of the past year and a half there have been 28 Graphic Design students from 3 separate classes involved in Living Light.
Undergraduate Team Leaders: Samantha Ownby Nicole Cooksey Ben Frederick Undergraduate Team Members: Dena Anschutz Faith Barger Trista Busch Lauren Carrig Caitlin Courtley Greg Frank Jessica Gosney Tylor Loposser Sarah Luscombe Thinh Nguyen Sonam Patel Tim Poe Janeane Robinson Toby Thomas Amy Price Jaclyn Salem Diana Lowrie Sean Leader Nicole Cooksey Harrison Vincent Tommi Sharp Taylor Dudney Jacob Schneider
market viability team
communication team
industry
envelope
energy
budget
climate building integration teams
interiors
finance team
design implementation committee
fundraising
building landscape
rules & regulations management team
fabrication and assemly team construction management team
team diagram
[ phase 2 ]
problem
| context
|
p r o c e s s solutions |
Overall Timeline
HOUSE DESIGN — January 14, 2011 This part of the project has been completed and a 1/25 scale model was displayed in Orlando, Florida at the United Home Builders Show for five days in January. Construction begins in an off-campus warehouse in February, 2011. CONSTRUCTION COMPLETION — July 1, 2011 Once the home is fully assembled, the Living Light team will move their focus to the details of the functionality of the home. The home control system will be installed at this time so we will begin testing our systems. Finishing the home this early provides us with 2 months to not only perfect the systems in the home but also practice the competitions and tours before being on the National Mall. BEGIN TRANSPORTATION TO WASHINGTON, D.C.— September 10, 2011 The steel also doubles as the chassis of a lowboy double drop highway trailer, allowing the home to be easily transported in one volume to Washington, D.C. for the competition and to future events. In early September, the gooseneck and bogey of the highway trailer will be connected to the home, temporary bracing secured, and facades protected for the drive to Washington, D.C. where the home will meet about 20 students ready to begin assembly on the National Mall. SOLAR DECATHLON 2011 COMPETITION —September 13 –October 5, 2011 September 13th marks the beginning of 7 allotted days for assembly. The Solar Decathlon homes will be set up between 7th and 14th streets on the National Mall. During this time, team Living Light will assemble the deck module, plantings and attend to various details within the home. On September 22, all assembly will be halted and the 10 days of judging will begin. TENNESSEE VALLEY TOUR – 2012 At the close of the Solar Decathlon Competition, the Living Light house will be used as a tool for education, outreach, and continued research. One of the primary aspirations of the team from the start was to take the Living Light house on tour through Tennessee to demonstrate sustainability, energy-efficiency, and emerging technologies to the public. The house will also be used as a laboratory by the team and its collaborators, collecting data, testing new applications of technologies, and demonstrating their capabilities.
problem
| context
|
p r o c e s s solutions |
What are our Communication Objectives? Identify potential donors and sponsors through alumni and industry lists Fundraise for Solar Decathlon Project Educate the general public about sustainable architecture Champion the education of students at UT Demonstrate what UT brings to general public : economy and industry Connect Living Light with other solar initiatives in TN Showcase new technology and research with industry new systems
Who is our audience? PRIMARY:
— Donors & Sponsors
— Industry + Business Partnerships / Building and Technology
— UT Community
SECONDARY:
— Citizens of TN
— Potential Homeowners — Future UT students : K-12 teachers and students
TERTIARY:
— TN politicians
— General alumni/ professionals in
Architecture, Engineering and Design firms
What are our key themes? Solar energy / Harvesting the suns energy Maximizing Transparency and View Living compactly User control of Light, View and Ventilation Leaving a small footprint Flexible spaces Interdisciplinary project, studio based learning collaboration Living/learning community Origin in Tennessee
problem
| context
|
p r o c e s s solutions |
What are our tactics? Determine milestones Define key messages and identify student presenters Present to local and regional Organizations Promote special events : ribbon cutting at prototype, arrival of structural frame USGBC- presence on campus 6/18/2010 Media sponsorships with local news stations Tech 20/20 Contact chancellor’s associates Contact Knox County Alumni Chapter Set up social media outlets and determine strategies for engagement Gather list of environmental bloggers Promote the University of Tennessee, Knoxville Capitalize on Special events: Football Games, Destination Imagination, etc. Produce “In Progress” videos Leverage the Solar Decathlon reputation Contact Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts of America to establish a “Solar Energy” badge
What are our media outlets? Media news/TV stations
—Knox News Sentinel / Beacon / Metropulse / UT TV / Torch Bearer / Alumnus Quest / Pursuit / Chancellor’s Report
—WVOT (Matt Powell) Dialogue/lunchtime monthly shows
—Industry publications/ professional organization newsletters / Higher education
journals / ORNL Review / TVA Newsletters
Building industry conferences + Builders Shows AIA, AIGA, USGBC, CSI, ASID, IIDA, ASLA + engineers Websites: UT, CoAD, Solar Decathlon Project website Social media- facebook, twitter, flicker, vimeo, youtube Al Gore organization, current TV Alumni publications Make Orange Green website Environmental blogs UT football program / Jumbotron Scripps /HGTV/DIY Homeshows Board of Trustees Local Rotary/businesses Economic development groups / East TN economic council Governor’s office
problem
| context
|
p r o c e s s solutions |
What is our unique selling proposition to the general public? You can make money off your house. Make Orange green. Green Design is good Business
How are we different from the other houses? 360 ° apart from the others or 180° difference Doublewide goes on the road. Living light as Educational Tool
What are our Communication deliverables and key dates? January 11 – March 16. 2010 Name selected Proposal Developed March 16. 2010 Proposal Boards due Begin Branding Exploration April 6. 2010 Teams selected by DOE June 20. 2010 Logo system and brand direction defined
January 14 – 17. 2011 Conference and meeting in Florida January 18 – March 1. 2011 Second round of fundraising materials Finish populating website sections February 10 – May 10. 2011 Development of interior and exterior signage Interface for house automation system April 25. 2011 Project Summary Due
July 10. 2010 Begin fundraising campaign
June 30. 2011 Entertainment materials completed
August 1. 2010 Fundraising video completed
August 1. 2011 Public Exhibit Materials Completed
August 18. 2010 Website / initial page approval Social media sites in place
August 8. 2011 3-5 minute video walkthrough completed
September 6. 2010 Campus Banners August 21. 2010 –January 11. 2010 Collateral materials to gain exposure Fundraising events and presentations Populate website with content January 11. 2011 Scale Model due Website 90% complete
September 9. 2011 All on site signage completed
problem
| context
|
process |
solutions
House Design / Vernacular Inspiration Our house design builds upon traditional building strategies and the history of energy research in the state of Tennessee. Learning from buildings of Southern Appalachia, the dogtrot house and cantilever barn, we were inspired to incorporate daylight, natural ventilation, and adaptability to natural conditions.
cantilever barn
House Design /Smart Systems The Living Light house challenges the idea that energy-efficient housing must be a solid, highly insulated volume, maximizing exterior glass walls and daylighting within the home. All systems pursue passive design solutions and incorporate active technologies only when necessary. For example, the airspace within the exterior glass walls of the Living Light house can act like a greenhouse to warm the home in winter, or when ventilated, buffer against the summer heat.
ENERGY RECOVERY VENTILATOR
ENERGY RECOVERY VENTILATOR
72 F
NORTH
72 F
30 F
SOUTH HOT
cooling and heating modes
COLD
NORTH
90 F
SOUTH HOT
COLD
problem
| context
|
process |
solutions
House Design /Using the suns energy Similarly, the trellis-like tubular solar array works with the reflective roof to produce electricity from direct and reflected sunlight as well as shading the roof and walls. This rooftop array employs a cylindrical module, so that sunlight is captured across a 360째 photovoltaic (PV) surface while maintaining a low profile. This allows the array to function at its full potential in any location. The cylindrical shape offers a few other benefits as well. The space between cylinders enables light to pass through the panel to a reflective white rooftop, permitting diffuse and reflected light to be captured on the under side of the PV. The wind load on the roof is reduced due to the spaces as well. The entire system is designed to be equally at home on the roof of the Living Light home or as a retrofit to existing structures.
direct sunlight
diffuse sunlight
reflected light
benefits of cylindrical module by solyndra
problem
| context
|
process |
solutions
House Design /Structural Design One of the defining ideas for the Living Light house was for it to be a single entity to minimize assembly on site. It is designed to be easily transportable, integrating the trailer system into the fabrication of the home. The steel structural frame is a demountable chassis of a low-boy double-drop highway trailer with temporary foundations supporting the main transportable volume. The temporary foundations are steel screw jacks permanently attached to the structure. The jacks will be spaced and sized to evenly support the weight of the chassis over uneven terrain.
structure attached to trailer
steel structural frame
problem
| context
|
process |
solutions
House Design / Model
1/24 scale model of living light
longitudinal section drawing
As a concept, Living Light embodies simplicity and the multiple aims of touching the earth lightly, leaving a small environmental footprint, maximizing light and space, and relying entirely on solar power.
problem
| context
|
process |
solutions
Identity Design The logo is comprised of a mark and a logotype. The mark is both gear and sun, which refers to the mechanical power of the sun and signifies the idea that people can work together with nature to support the planet. In the logotype, there is evidence of the major concepts of the house: do more with less; be functional and modular. The ligatures coupled with the use of repetitive linear forms visualize these ideas using letterform parts. In addition, the stroke weights and round terminals add flow and subtly refer to the tubular photovoltaic panels in the roof array.
logotype
marks and color palette
problem
| context
|
process |
solutions
Information icons Our modular home makes use of component systems with the ability to enhance the energy efficiency and sustainability of simple strategies. Complexity is only added when necessary. After unpacking the many ideas encompassed in LIVING LIGHT, the team agreed on 6 underlying themes that dictated the design of the home. In addition to other contexts, these information icons will be used on location to explain, and connect, the various systems and identify their located in the house.
6 main concept icons 1.
2.
1. Maximizing transparency and View
5. Leaving a Small Footprint
The Living Light team created an energy efficient living area connected spatially and visually to the landscape outside. This was achieved by using fixed aerogel panels on the north, moveable thermal shades on the south, and multipanel glazing throughout.
In addition to producing its own power, the house touches the land lightly and is designed to take advantage of sustainable materials and construction methods.
2. Living Compactly
3.
The Living Light home is intended as a retreat from the visual and physical clutter of the information age while integrating technology seamlessly into the design. The floor plan organizes support spaces into two dense cubes of program, framing the open living space in between. 3. Harvesting the Suns Energy
4.
Like the leaves of a plant, the integrated rooftop array provides energy and shade for the home. The 9kw array employs a cylindrical module so that sunlight is captured across a 360Ëšphotovoltaic surface. 4. Controlling Light, View and Ventilation
5.
6.
The north and south facades incorporate inner and outer glass panes with motorized shades and horizontal blinds sandwiched in between. Operable panels allow outside air to be admitted when humidity is acceptable.
6. Space Transforms With Function
Two cores organize the daily rituals of life. The millwork of the public core can be entirely closed to hide its function, while a kitchen island accommodates from 2–8 people. The entertainment center acts as a footboard, defining the space of the bed when in use, and folding out to become a desk when the Murphy bed is stored.
problem
| context
|
process |
solutions
QR Codes QR is the abbreviation for Quick Response, as the creator intended the code to allow its contents to be decoded at high speed. A QR Code is a specific matrix barcode (or two-dimensional code), readable by dedicated QR barcode readers and camera phones. The code consists of black modules arranged in a square pattern on a white background. The information encoded can be text, URL or other data. We generated a QR Code for our Living Light home that contains the url of the website. As long as you have a smart phone with a QR code app (free and downloadable), you can shoot a picture of the code and it will link automatically to our website. the living light qr code
badge design
Girl Scout / Boy Scout Patches TENNESSEE VALLEY TOUR – 2012 One of the distinguishing features of the house is that it was designed to be transportable. Therefore, at the close of the Solar Decathlon Competition, the Living Light house will be used as a tool for education, and outreach as it tours the state. Among other plans, one outreach strategy we are implementing is the design of a “solar” badge program for girl scouts and boy scouts of Tennessee.
problem
| context
|
process |
solutions
7-minute Documentary Video Our main goal for the first 8 months of the project was to raise $850,000 to build and transport our house to Washington D.C. In order to accomplish this, we developed a short documentary video that we could show prospective donors to help explain the long hard journey to get into the Solar Deacthlon competition. We hoped that by hearing about the competition from the many student and faculty participants, we would inspire our audiences to support their Tennessee Team. Like everything, the video was student produced. A short version is available on our home page: http://wwwlivinglightutk.com
video screen captures
problem
| context
|
process |
solutions
Team T-shirts These t-shirts were printed using photochromic ink, which is pigment that is activated by UV light. The text has an light outline that fills in with dark blue when worn outside in the sunlight.
living light t–shirts
problem
| context
|
process |
solutions
Website / www.livinglightutk.com We designed our website using Wordpress so that a number of team members could add or change content regardless if they knew html or not. This creates a dynamic site and more closely reflects the nature of this interdisciplinary project. It also helps us populate the site with information quicker than if we only had one or two people who had access. We purposely did not use flash so that site would be fully viewable on an ipad which we plan to use on the site in D.C. as information signage. The use of Social Media is an important aspect of the site given that one main goal of the competition is to generate excitement and educate the public about process of designing and building a 100% Solar efficient home. One unique feature of the site is the shifting of the background color every two hours, moving from lighter to darker as midnight approaches. To view go to: http://www.livinglightutk.com
living light website
problem
| context
Website http://www.livinglightutk.com
|
process |
solutions
problem
| context
|
process |
solutions
Information Graphics
sunlight across the state in 2010 214
MEMPHIS 208
NASHVILLE 204
KNOXVILLE 210
CHATTANOOGA 200
TRI-CITIES
(Bristol, Johnson City, Kingsport)
0
365 days
potential of solar energy
[ one hour of sun ]
[ one year of energy ]
problem
| context
process |
|
solutions
Information Graphics
student numbers
10
ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING
1
CIVIL ENGINEERING
39+
ARCHITECTURE
29
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING
2
7
LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE
BUSINESS
4
INTERIOR DESIGN
28+
GRAPHIC DESIGN
LIVING LIGHT TEAM: MULTIDISCIPLINARY MORE THAN 100 STUDENTS 8 DEPARTMENTS ACROSS CAMPUS
problem
| context
Information Graphics
electrical diagram
mechanical diagram
Outside Exhaust
|
process |
solutions
problem
| context
|
process |
solutions
Print Part of the campaign to raise money was the design of a poster that on one side was a poetic statement about our project and on the other held pragmatic information for donors and sponsors. The poetic side suggests that by overlapping our natural resources with technology we can generate green, sustainable ways of living and working. poster / mailer—side one
2011 University of Tennessee Entry
GREEN DESIGN IS GOOD BUSINESS
Help us Showcase Tennessee’s Expertise in Green Design by Supporting the Living Light Team. The U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon 2011 is an international competition held in Washington, D.C. for interdisciplinary student-led teams to build and design solar-powered, energy-efficient homes. Team Living Light of the University of Tennessee, Knoxville is one of just 20 competitors selected to participate in this prestigious event! UT’s Team Living Light involves more than 100 students and faculty members from the College of Architecture and Design, the College of Engineering, the College of Business Administration, and the School of Art as well as other programs. Working together, these students and faculty have developed a design for an easily transportable 800-square-foot house to be viewed and judged on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. in October 2011. Sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, the global competition challenges students from around the world to design and build functioning, marketable, solar-powered houses. Although the Solar Decathlon began in 2002, this marks the first time the University of Tennessee, Knoxville will compete, and the first time for a Tennessee university. Our team is competing against such universities as Purdue University,
How To Help The Living Light house provides an unprecedented opportunity to highlight Tennessee’s historic role in energy production and conservation. It also allows our students to share knowledge about energy efficient construction and the benefits of living green to a wide variety of audiences. As a development platform, the Living Light house allows us to explore partnerships with industry to create new products that can be manufactured and marketed to benefit the state and future green-living. We invite you to be a part of the Living Light team. Fielding a successful project entry is a complex undertaking. From hard hats to solar panels, truck rentals to furniture, it takes significant financial support to compete. We know we have a winning design; but we need contributions from like people like you. Whether you choose to be a corporate or individual sponsor, we greatly appreciate your support! For more information on becoming a Living Light Sponsor or to schedule a presentation, please call the College of Architecture and Design Development Office at 865.974.0974 or visit http://livinglight.utk.edu and go to the Donate / Sponsor section. You can e-mail us at livlight@utk.edu
KEY ASPECTS OF LIVING LIGHT: Maximizing Transparency & View
Harvesting the Sun’s Energy
Ohio State University, the University of Maryland, as well as
L iving Compactly
User Control of Light View & Ventilation
teams from universities in New Zealand, China, Belgium and Canada. The efforts of UT’s students and a strong proposal landed Team Living Light in the 2011 Solar Decathlon. Now the real work begins! We want to fully execute our design and represent the University and Tennessee proudly! On our path to success, and a hopeful win, we are asking for your help.
Leaving a Small Footprint
Space Adapts in Service of Function
Our design, the Living Light house, builds upon traditional building strategies and the history of energy research in the state of Tennessee. From the traditional buildings of Appalachia, the dogtrot house and cantilever barn, we were inspired to incorporate daylight, natural ventilation, and adaptability to natural conditions. Many features of the Living Light house combine these low-tech solutions with high-tech components. For example, the airspace within the exterior glass walls of the Living Light house can act like a greenhouse to warm the home in winter, or when ventilated, buffer against the summer heat. Similarly, the trellis-like tubular solar array works with the reflective roof to produce electricity from direct and reflected sunlight as well as shading the roof and walls. As a concept, Living Light embodies simplicity and the multiple aims of touching the earth lightly, leaving a small environmental footprint, maximizing light and space, and relying entirely on solar power.
*Printed on 100% post-consumer paper manufactured using certified renewable energy.
R01-2721-002-001-11
Company logo on construction site banner
Tierney Bates Director of Development College of Architecture and Design The University of Tennessee, Knoxville 865-974-0974 tbates@utk.edu 1715 Volunteer Blvd Knoxville, TN 37996-2400
Graphic web link from Tennessee Solar Decathlon website Invitation to project events, collaborations, and celebrations Invitation to Public Unveiling and Exhibition
Blue • $1,000 –24,999 Company logo included on all printed materials
For sponsorship questions contact:
Company logo on construction site banner Graphic web link from Tennessee Solar Decathlon website Invitation to project events, collaborations, and celebrations
Invitation to Public Unveiling and Exhibition
White • $25,000 –49,999 Prominent Company logo on team member t-shirt Company logo included on all printed materials Company logo on construction site banner Graphic web link from Tennessee Solar Decathlon website Invitation to reception with students and VIPs in Washington, DC Invitation to project events, collaborations, and celebrations Invitation to Public Unveiling and Exhibition
Orange • $50,000 –$99,999 Research Involvement with SD Living Light Team Invitation to Sponsor’s Recognition Dinner with student team Private Tour of Construction site in Knoxville Company logo on member t-shirt Company logo included on all printed materials
UT Solar Decathlon /Team Tennessee
Company logo on construction site banner Graphic web link from Tennessee Solar Decathlon website Invitation to reception with students and VIPs in Washington, DC Invitation to project events, collaborations, and celebrations Invitation to Public Unveiling and Exhibition and speaking engagements
Green • $100,000 & plus
SPONSORSHIP LEVELS
poster / mailer—side two
transport the Living Light to D.C ! To date we have reached our goal of raising the $850,000 needed to design, build and
Results to Date problem
| context
|
process |
solutions