The University of Buffalo’s School of Architecture and Planning is looking for people with an urbanist mindset to help support a one of a kind green project. A number of students have already come together to enter into a design/build contest sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy. The objective of the initiative is to “design and build an attractive, contemporary solar-powered house that produces twice as much energy as it consumes, utilizes energy-efficient appliances and is able to grow produce all year.”
This is not just a design exercise, this is the real thing. After being built in Buffalo, the structure will then be disassembled, transported and reassembled in Irvine, California.
The concept behind the GRoW project is essentially to build a sustainable home where the occupant is able to “Garden, Relax or Work”, thus the acronym. What is fascinating about the home is that the occupant moves about the footprint following the seasons. The home is actually built to respond to the hot months as well as the cold months. Along with the residents moving from room to room throughout the year, there are growing coordinates within the structure to take advantage of the sun’s position in the sky (see here). Additional thought must go into the types of building materials used to construct the home, in order to capitalize on heat retention. Occupants must also be able to plant seedlings where/when most opportune, and then grow the plants according to their liking – it’s all part of the GroWlarium (see here).
This incredible effort is part of the Solar Decathlon, which is dedicated to promoting energy efficient homes. In Buffalo (or any other city for that matter), traditionally houses were not built to interact with the sun, and gardens were relegated to the outside. Times are changing, and UB is helping us to understand that there are ways to build that are more energy efficient, comfortable and productive. There is no reason that we should not be producing our own foods year round. Or living in natural interactive environments that surround us with greenery and sustenance.
At this point, the students and partners are looking for additional ways to raise the funds necessary to enter into this competition, and ultimately win. So far, one third of the funds have been raised ($26,000).
On February 26th, 2015, from 4-9pm, Sue “Frenchy” Cholewa (Black Rock community activist who lives in a Quad Space built as a UB Masters’ thesis project) has offered to host a Happy Hour at 464 Gallery, where visitors/supporters are being asked to donate $20 to the cause. The fundraiser will feature plenty of info on the project, along with the people who are behind it.
For more information on supporting this wonderful project check out this website. You can also learn more about GRoW on Facebook. Be sure to check out the UB Solar House Team Happy Hour in person and on Facebook.
Ultimately, it’s these types of homes that would be perfect for infill in the city’s East Side, allowing residents to take advantage of the growing conditions and the utility saving measures. This is about quality of life, for the people and the planet.