Solar decathlon

Find out about the US Solar Decathlon competition and the success of the Wellington School of Architecture team’s First Light House.

First Light House

The Solar Decathlon is a competition run by the United States Department of Energy Solar Decathlon, held in Washington DC.

This international design competition challenges 20 collegiate teams to design, build and operate a solar powered house that is cost effective, energy efficient and appealing. Ten contests worth 100 points each make up the competition, these include:

Architecture
Market appeal
Engineering
Communication
Affordability
Comfort
Hot water
Appliances
Home entertainment
Energy balance.

In 2011, our team’s First Light House featured a New Zealand inspired home designed to fit the Kiwi lifestyle. The house was designed by students who then transported it to the United States, and rebuilt it for the competition. First Light House came in third place in the final results for the competition.

More recently, First Light House has won an International Architecture Award in the NZIA Architecture Awards 2013.