July, 2007 Cover Story

NYIT Students Build Solar Home for International Competition
© 2007 NETWORKING® MAGAZINE 2020 GUIDE TO GOING GREEN

New York Institute of Technology (NYIT) is one of 20 collegiate teams from around the world—and the only college from the New York metropolitan area—selected by the U.S. Department of Energy to compete in the 2007 Solar Decathlon to be held in Washington, D.C. The international competition challenges students to design, build, and operate the most energy-efficient solar-powered home. To determine an overall winner, teams are judged in 10 contests: architecture; engineering; market viability; communications; comfort zone; appliances; hot water; lighting; energy balance; and getting around (track mileage of electric car).

NYIT’s entry, OPEN House, features an adjustable and adaptable open floor plan that creates flexible zones to accommodate multiple functions of the open space. The south-side glass wall visually connects occupants to the outside world and fills the living space with natural daytime light. Smart House technology will provide the dweller with additional flexibility, convenience and comfort. By accessing the home’s automation and control system, users will be able to efficiently control, schedule or maintain household functions, such as air temperature, lighting, and appliances.

NYIT’s interdisciplinary, multi-campus team is composed of more than 75 undergraduate and graduate students studying architecture, engineering, interior design, communication arts, marketing, and culinary arts. Faculty members from each department serve as project advisors.
For more information visit www.nyit.edu/solar and www.solardecathlon.com

BACK | NEXT | INDEX

Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED)
© 2007 NETWORKING® MAGAZINE 2020 GUIDE TO GOING GREEN

LEED standards are the nationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction and operation of environmentally responsible, profitable and healthy places to work.

These standards are put together by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), made up of over 6,300 members from all parts of the building industry.

LEED recognizes performance in five key areas of human and environmental health: sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection, and indoor environmental quality. Buildings are awarded Certification: Silver, Gold, and Platinum (the highest), depending on their total score of the maximum of 69 points.

BACK | NEXT | INDEX