Comments on: Solar House

By: visualingual

visualingual — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 21:29:33 +0000

You’re absolutely right. I just think that a more conventional interior would make it easier for people to visualize how a house might become their home. It wouldn’t call so much attention to itself. The high-tech aesthetic of the interior can be off-putting to people, when the main point [I think?] is to pitch the technology itself.

Similarly, “green” fashion used to have this fuddy-duddy, hippie look [and a reputation for the look], until designers took hemp, unbleached or naturally dyed textiles, or what have you, and made them sexy, sporty, professional, etc., to show that anyone can have these values and wear these clothes, without them dictating a specific aesthetic.

My criticism actually runs counter to my personal philosophy, but isn’t the point of the Solar Decathlon to show a livable application of this technology? A more conventional interior would make the project seem more livable.

By: justforview

justforview — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 20:40:30 +0000

I agree. But if you are going to build a prototype you will fall into some aesthetic or another, no?

By: visualingual

visualingual — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 14:32:29 +0000

This was probably a stipulation in the competition guidelines, but I think this sort of holistic design makes it difficult for people to visualize their own lives in a home like this. I mean, what if you’re into contemporary technology but not contemporary design? What if you don’t want banquette seating? What if you have your own furniture? Where you put your art?

I don’t see this prototype as livable, necessarily; its aesthetic seems heavy-handed to me. I think the”total design” approach of all the Case Study and Case Study-type houses runs of the risk of unnecessarily alienating people. A smarter strategy to prove how well you could live with the technology would be to demonstrate that it doesn’t have to dictate your aesthetic, no?

By: justforview

justforview — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 04:16:18 +0000

The explanation that I was given for their placement in the competition was based on the thermal collectors. I think the competition was supposed to use only PV panels.

By: Matt

Matt — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 02:50:06 +0000

I remember when they shipped this thing to DC for the national eco-house competition[?]. They didn’t fare too well, unfortunately – maybe it’s because of the livability issue (as you said).

Anyway, I’ve been meaning to get down to campus to take a look at it. Thanks for the reminder.

Nice post.
And nice template choice, btw – much easier on the eyes.