Student Designers Recognized at 2024 Solar Decathlon
The annual Solar Decathlon Competition was held April 19-21 at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory in Golden, Colo.
Students representing 37 collegiate institutions competed in the Design Challenge. After working for one to two semesters to design innovative and high-performance buildings that address current issues relating to climate change, affordability and environmental justice, these student design teams have the opportunity to present their ideas to expert jurors and network with industry professionals.
Heather Laminack of Ferrier Custom Homes — an NAHB member and former chair of the Sustainability and Green Building Subcommittee — attended the Solar Decathlon and served as a Design Challenge juror.
“While the 10 contests are the same, the approach and solutions the students presented varied greatly,” said Laminack. “A theme was that they were looking to not only create a zero-energy home, but to offer it as part of a broader social solution. We saw floating homes in Peru, infill homes aimed at first-time home buyers in Georgia, an affordable housing concept in South Africa, fire-resistant homes in Australia and British Columbia. These challenges are complex, and the students were resolute in their determination to find a better way.”
Winning teams are recognized with awards, and the grand winner was the University of Arizona, who competed in the Attached Housing Division. The team designed Harvest Mesa: 24 eco-friendly rowhouses that blend communal and private. The concept prioritized both the culture of the Hopi Tribe and modern innovation to offer energy-efficient, affordable housing.
NAHB has been a sponsor of the decathlon since 2004 and nearly every year since its inception.
“The entire event is brimming with excitement and passion,” said Laminack. “Students and faculty have invested countless hours of heart and hard work into their projects, and they are so proud to share their vision and strategy. There is a genuine curiosity the participants have — always looking to find ways to do build better, to serve more, all with less resources. That passion is infectious and an honor to be a part of.”
Latest from NAHBNow
Oct 29, 2025
Do Consumers Want Two-Story Foyers?Nearly a quarter of new homes were built with a two-story foyer in 2024 — a number that has been trending downward over the past eight years. Though the national decline continued, regional patterns were mixed. See where this feature is hot — and where it's not.
Oct 29, 2025
How to Market to and Design for the Aging-in-Place ClientNAHB will host three webinars (open to members and non-members) in November to teach the technical, business management, and customer service skills necessary to complete modifications for aging-in-place.
Latest Economic News
Oct 29, 2025
The Fed Cuts amid Partly Cloudy ConditionsWith the government shutdown limiting the quantity of economic data available to markets and policymakers, the central bank’s Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) enacted a widely anticipated 25 basis point cut for the short-term federal funds rate.
Oct 28, 2025
Home Price Growth SlowsHome prices in August grew at the lowest annual rate in over two years, according to the recent release of the S&P Cotality Case-Shiller Home Price Index (seasonally adjusted – SA).
Oct 27, 2025
Two-Story Foyer Trend Stabilizes in 2024In 2024, nearly a quarter of new homes were built with a two-story foyer, virtually unchanged from 2023, according to data obtained from the Census Bureau’s Survey of Construction (SOC) and tabulated by NAHB.