theBusheys.com > Solar Decathlon 2005 > Pittsburgh Synergy

Team Website	http://www.pittsburghsynergy.org

Pittsburgh Synergy: Our alma-mater, Carnegie Mellon, joined forces with the University of Pittsburgh and the Art Institute of Pittsburgh for this, their second entry, in the solar decathlon. We thought they did better than their first attempt, but due to some unforseen problems with their electrical systems (some equipment got broken in transit), they just missed placing in the top half.

The front facade is clad with polycarbonate panels

View at the back of the house.

The angle is derived from the placement of the PVs on the roof, but I think they took the idea a little too far. The angled siding inside the space puts you a little off-balance.

Detail of polycarbonate panel facade at front door.

The mechanical wall is the "spine" of the house. The equipment is barely visible in this photo, behind the perf metal, above the kitchen at left.

In the bedroom there is a very nice quality of light from the polycarbonate panels on the exterior facade. And once again, there is a loft incorporated into the design. I think it was mostly mechanical equipment that was upstairs; it was not accessible to the general public.