Gypress shines at solar decathlo

tTl"t Somn DEcnrHI-oN, a biennial I- competition sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy, challenges 20 collegiate teams to build affordable, energy-efficient, and environmentally friendly homes suited to everyday living. This year, the teams from Florida, Tennessee, and New York included southern cypress in their designs.

Team Florida-a collaboration of the University of South Florida, Florida State University, the University of South Florida, and the University of Florida-used cypress in common applications such as siding, decking, and paneling, as well as for interior flooring.

"We feel our house will serve as an example of how cypress can be used to make a building more environmentally friendly, energy-efficient, and sustainable," said faculty advisor Stanley Russell. "Cypress is an excellent, sustainable material."

Quality Manufactured Forest Products at Competitive Prices, including FSC.certified Western Red Cedar and Hemlock.

The University of Tennessee's team is using #2 grade cypress as exterior decking, as well as interior flooring in wet zones such as mechanical spaces and the bathroom, including in the shower.

"Cypress is one of the few species that has the combination of warmth and color we were looking for," said project manager Amy Howard. "Its natural resistance to decay addressed a requirement for our project."

The entry designed by the City College of New York Cypress reflects the fact that cypress decking continues to sain market share in the

Northeast. Designed for city rooftops, this project features cypress decking and exterior window mullions.

"In our research. we found that most of the historic piers of New York's Hudson River were constructed from cypress," said faculty advisor Christian Volkmann. "That's some of the best evidence for its durability. Since cypress is fast growing and beautiful, it was an easy decision to specify."

Southern Cypress Manufacturers Association supplied all the cypress used in these three designs, to support and inspire future designers.

"They are a new breed in the design industry," said SCMA president Frank Vallot. who owns Acadian Cypress & Hardwoods, Ponchatoula, La. "With their generation. environmentally friendly design is the stan- dard. not a new trend."

The solar homes will be open to the public from September 21 through October 2,2O11, on the National Mall's West Potomac Park in Washington, D.C. For more information, visit www.cypressinfo.org.