By combining top floor residential units with a ground floor commercial space, the duo were able to maximize the use of a rooftop photovoltaic system that can produce more than enough energy for the entire complex.

Midland, MI — April 25, 2012

As part of its commitment to support education and innovations that will help solve the world's challenges, The Dow Solar Design to Zero Competition provided an innovative, interactive and collaborative team competition among undergrad and graduate students from around the world.

Congratulations to the Live/Work team of Eric Laine and Suzanne Steelman from Clemson University's Graduate School of Architecture for their first place finish, earning them the top $20,000 prize.

By combining top floor residential units with a ground floor commercial space, the duo were able to maximize the use of a rooftop photovoltaic system that can produce more than enough energy for the entire complex.
Team Live/Work Team Live/Work
The winning entry from Team Live/Work was noted for its ability to demonstrate a sustainable energy system that embraces its urban surroundings both architecturally and economically

This forward-thinking solution consisted of three separate units designed for families of two, four and six people. Each unite features a commercial space on the street level that can be owned and operated by the family living above or rented out for extra income.

The environmentally friendly units are topped off with a large PV system that can generate more than enough power for the commercial space below and the apartments above, making it a net plus project. Rainwater is collected off the roof and stored in underground cisterns for use in the buildings and for landscaping. Living walls provide shade during summer, but shed leaves in the winter to let in more light.

Team Project Zero took second place and the $10,000 prize for their elegant building ensemble that pays homage to great 20th century modernism. Daniel Kim and Caitlin Ranson, also from Clemson University's Graduate School of Architecture, designed a structure that's comprised of concrete masonry units, providing superior compressive strength, fire resistance, low maintenance and energy efficiency.
The Project Zero Home
The Project Zero home incorporates multiple zones that decrease the cost and the energy footprint while always keeping an eye on design.

Yet the structural benefits are only the start. Many traditional spaces like dining rooms, corridors and hallways were avoided to encourage a higher level of family interaction. The minimalism of the overall design did take into consideration separate sectional divisions, special zones and many overhangs for a special and compelling experience that visually connects the indoors and outdoors. This design also helps in the natural induction of light and ventilation to reduce the dwellings overall carbon footprint.

Winning third place and creating a lot of buzz was team Silo House who incorporated an abandoned oil silo as a shell for the house. Designers Leon Lai and Eric Tan recycled the oil industries' infrastructure for this project to provide a statement on sustainability, not just aesthetically but also through its engineering. The designers worked out all the technical and sociological details to make this a great example of energy efficient designs for the future.
Team Silo House
Team Silo envisions recycling obsolete structures (oil silos) and transforming them into entire self-sustaining, clean-energy generating communities.

"Working with all the fervent and exceedingly gifted general students via this contest has been incredibly rewarding and an extraordinary learning experience for me," said Peter Anders of Kayvala Consulting and Dow Solar Design to Zero advisor "These are the architects and engineers of tomorrow and it has been a great experience using Dow Solar to see these ideas for our future unfold."

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