School of Architecture and Planning

Students in the Solar Decathlon studio/research class at the Edward M. Crough Center for Architectural Studies have set their sights on 2013, when their entry in the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon will be installed at a California park. The selection of Team Capitol D.C. Harvest — one of just 20 worldwide — marks the first time that Catholic University has been chosen to participate in the prestigious competition. It is also the first time that any university in Washington, D.C., has been tapped for the decathlon.

 

Led by CUA architecture majors, the team also includes students from American University and The George Washington University. The competition challenges teams to build a net-zero house, which generates more energy than it draws from the electrical grid. In past years, the houses have been located in D.C. on the National Mall for public viewing. For the 2013 competition, the houses will be installed at Orange County Great Park in Irvine, Calif.

 

Team Capitol D.C. Harvest will showcase the latest in green building technologies and show off how the school and team has integrated these technologies with concepts and ideals of nature and architectural design.

 

The team’s one-story, 800-square-foot house with a bedroom, bathroom, living room, and kitchen will showcase the different concentrations at CUA Architecture. The house itself will embody and represent all three schools that are working together, Catholic University, American University and The George Washington University; while also keeping the home innovative and simplistic in means of design and construction.

 

Randall Ott, Dean of the School of Architecture and Planning, describes the selection of the CUA- led team as “another significant milestone in the rich history of the school,” which is celebrating its 100th anniversary. The Catholic University’s architecture and planning school is the largest in the Washington, D.C., area.

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