ArchitectureWeek People and Places: Team Austria Wins Solar Decathlon 2013

The 2013 Solar Decathlon winner is the LISI house by Team Australia. Photo: Jason Flakes/U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon

With a total score of 951.922, the LISI house designed and built by Team Austria, has won the 2013 Solar Decathlon.

The prototype house is a timber-frame structure designed for transportability. Two patios extend the 639-square-foot (59-square-meter) home's living area. The larger of the two also incorporates an herb garden irrigated by a rainwater reservoir.

Floor plan drawing. Image: Team Austria

LISI's passive solar design incorporates a system of automated awnings and shades to maintain thermal comfort within the living space. A photovoltaic array supplies power to offset energy use.

Active systems include a two-unit air-water heat pump system that provides domestic hot water and heating and cooling with a multifunction air and water subfloor delivery system. Waste heat is also recovered from the home's shower and HVAC system.

Main interior living space. Photo: Jason Flakes/U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon

The U.S. Department of Energy sponsors the biannual competition, which this year was held in Irvine, California, after more than a decade of competitions held at the National Mall in Washington, D.C.