While visiting Washington D.C. over the weekend, Graduate Architect and sustainability guru Christina Lynch, LEED AP, checked out the 2011 Solar Decathlon homes, on display at West Potomac Park on the National Mall. The Solar Decathlon is a competition organized by the U.S. Department of Energy and universities or teams of universities design, construct, and demonstrate the highly energy-efficient performance of a small single family house. The teams compete in 10 contests, either juried (architecture, engineering) or measured (hot water, appliances), in addition to opening their homes to the public for tours and educational opportunities.

Christina especially enjoyed The Solar Homestead, by Appalachian State University, for its uncommon floor plan layout and use of a solar panel-shaded porch to link the typical programmatic elements of a home. She also liked Team Florida’s Flex House which featured a well-detailed and spacious living space, with clever displays of mechanical systems, such as the dehumidifying liquid desiccant system in the living room. Lastly, she liked how this year’s winner, the University of Maryland, successfully integrated green walls as a façade element.