LEAFhouse

UMaryland 2007 LEAFhouse [|LEAFhouse website] Maryland's goal in the 2007 decathlon was to build a house that emulated a leaf, which they call "nature's most efficient organism".

Architecture: 2nd Engineering: 6th Market Viability: 2nd Communications: 1st Comfort Zone: 4th Appliances: 17th Hot Water: 8th Lighting: 2nd Energy balance: 1st (tie) Getting Around: 13th

Cool Ideas: -Leaf in a community metaphor (the leaf is a contributing part of a larger whole, without which it cannot exist) -Biomimicry as house theme. -House design is cohesive with garden design in that it incorporates seasonal and lighting needs of ornamental and food-producing plants in as well as PVs. -Moveable interior translucent panels give flexibility to space. They can stack and compact into the main walls as well. -Green exterior wall. plants on a lattice that mitigate rainwater runoff. -Skylight between PV panels. Products: -Humidity regulating indoor waterfall (Liquid Dessicant Waterfall). -Radiant Floor Heating. To learn from: -very poor performance in Appliances and Getting Around, yet a 2nd place finish. -another example of Maryland taking a theme, running with it, and being very successful.

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