The GRoW Home

The GRoW (Garden, Relax, or Work) Home was the University at Buffalo’s entry to the U.S. Department of Energy’s 2015 Solar Decathlon. The decathlon is a biennial international competition where students design, build, market, and operate an ultra- efficient clean energy home. Comprised of over 200 students, the GRoW Home team earned second place overall in the competition.

The design examines how a house can produce its own energy, while also producing food throughout the year in a temperate location. A solarium tempers the indoor climate, while also providing adaptable indoor space for gathering and growing food. The custom fabricated furniture is highly versatile, creating efficient storage, work surfaces, and planters. Structural insulated panels create a tight thermal envelope around a clean, flexible layout.

Personal work included the design of informational signage for the competition, which helped propel the team to third place in the Communications competition, as well as on-site supervision of construction safety.

Project Type: Group Competition

Role: Health and Safety Manager, Community School Coordinator