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Andrea Lin is #SDLivingTheDream: Learning the Collaborative Nature of Sustainable Design

Monday, October 25, 2021

Name: Andrea Lin

Year participated in Solar Decathlon: 2021

University team: Northwestern University

Current organization / employer: Kipnis Architecture + Planning

Current role: Architectural Intern

How did participation in the Solar Decathlon affect the trajectory of your career?

My experience in Solar Decathlon brought me the confidence in changing my career path towards one that interests me. In my third year of university, I was exploring architecture classes and began learning about the design process and high-performance buildings. However, most of the work for these classes was done as individuals so the scope of work was focused mostly on the architectural function and aesthetic. Solar Decathlon exposed me to the interdisciplinary and collaborative nature of sustainable design, which has helped me adapt my experiences to my interests.

Describe a work outcome, building project or other achievement you are most proud of and how (if) it relates to your experience with Solar Decathlon.

I am proud that the Northwestern University Solar Decathlon team has chosen to continue in 2022. Each member of the 2021 team was a first-time participant, and we only knew the surface of what we were getting ourselves into. As student lead, I often worried if the work for Solar Decathlon was too much on top of my teammates' other academic and extracurricular commitments. I am proud of the leadership skills I built that helped make their experience in Solar Decathlon positive and gave them confidence to challenge themselves again. I do not think any part of our path toward greener buildings should feel like a solo endeavor.

Team enginuity group photo

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