CCA News
California College of the Arts Participates in the 2009 Solar Decathlon
Posted on Monday, March 9, 2009, by Brenda Tucker
CCA architecture and design students are participating for the first time ever (partnering with Santa Clara University) in the Solar Decathlon, a high-profile competition sponsored by the United States Department of Energy. The competition focuses on a crucial global problem—the ever-increasing need for energy—and offers real solutions, including renewable energy sources and ways to use energy more efficiently.
Twenty teams have each received $100,000 and are now competing to design, build, and operate the most energy-efficient, attractive, and comfortable solar-powered house. In October 2009 they will display their finished projects in a “solar village” on the National Mall in Washington DC. In 2007 Santa Clara University placed third in the competition; they would have been first if not for their low grade in the architecture component. CCA’s students will bring to the team their expertise and sophistication in design and architecture solutions.
The spirit of the competition reflects both institutions’ penchant for innovation and commitment to creating a more sustainable world. The CCA / Santa Clara University team is passionate about solar technology and its integration into a beautifully functional and livable home. The Solar Decathlon offers these students an opportunity to showcase innovative problem solving in a highly public arena, and to exert real influence on the future of the building industry. Most of the products and materials that they are using in their prototype house, including appliances, flooring, heating systems, and countertops, are available commercially.
About California College of the Arts
Founded in 1907, California College of the Arts is noted for the interdisciplinarity and breadth of its programs. It offers studies in 20 undergraduate and seven graduate majors in the areas of fine arts, architecture, design, and writing. The college offers bachelor of architecture, bachelor of arts, bachelor of fine arts, master of architecture, master of arts, master of fine arts, and master of business administration degrees. With campuses in San Francisco and Oakland, CCA currently enrolls 1,740 full-time students. Noted alumni include the painters Nathan Oliveira and Raymond Saunders; the ceramicists Robert Arneson, Viola Frey, and Peter Voulkos; the filmmaker Wayne Wang; the conceptual artists David Ireland and Dennis Oppenheim; and the designers Lucille Tenazas and Michael Vanderbyl. For more information about CCA, visit www.cca.edu.