Department of Energy Remodels Annual Student Building Design Showcase

The U.S. Department of Energy's annual BuildingsNEXT Team Showcase, formerly known as the Solar Decathlon, was held last month in Golden, Colo. This collegiate building design competition prepares the next generation of construction professionals to design high-performance buildings powered by renewables.

The Department of Energy started the competition more than 20 years ago to provide students unique training and educate both students and the public about the latest technologies and materials in energy efficient design. The first Build Challenge was held in 2002, and the Race to Zero competition was introduced in 2019 as the Design Challenge. For the 2025 edition, DOE rebranded the event as BuildingsNEXT and dropped the competition aspect, opting to showcase team submissions instead.

Since its inception, more than 25,000 students have participated in the competition, excited to highlight the sustainability, affordability and resiliency.

Heather Laminack of Ferrier Custom Homes – an NAHB member and former chair of the Sustainability and Green Building Subcommittee – attended the event for the third consecutive year. In prior years, she served as a judge, but due to the shift to a non-competitive event this year, she served as an “industry reviewer," alongside fellow NAHB member and Sustainability and Green Building Subcommittee Vice Chair Todd Usher.

Each team presented their pitch followed by a Q-and-A segment during which Laminack and her fellow industry reviewers provided feedback to the students.

“Due to the changing nature of the event, teams were at various levels of project execution, so our emphasis was on what they were able to accomplish and execute, as opposed to scoring them against 10 defined contests,” said Laminack.

Since there were no formal winners selected, the top entries were honored with Honorable Mentions. Recognized for their passion, dedication and creativity, four teams from each division – Single-Family Housing, Multifamily Building, Education Building, and Open Commercial – were awarded, including three NAHB Student Chapters teams from Appalachian State University, Ball State University and University of Oklahoma.

Although the event has gotten a makeover, the enthusiasm of the student builders was as palpable as ever. “Collectively, attendees were grateful to have the opportunity and were in high hopes that the program would continue,” said Laminack. “That excited energy was still present, and contagious!”

NAHB was a sponsor of the 2025 event as it has been for years.