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Photo of people walking in and out of house.

Visitors were intrigued by Virginia's innovative design, named "The Trojan Goat" for its portability and adaptability to many climates.

Solar Decathlon 2002

Design and Livability

(200 points)

For the Design and Livability contest, the 2002 Solar Decathletes could earn up to 200 points (all other contests were worth 100 points each). The decathletes were challenged to integrate architectural design and energy technologies in their houses to create not just a livable domestic environment but a delightful one, as well.

Judging Criteria

Subjective criteria for the Design and Livability Contest included how well a design:

  • Enhanced a home's energy performance
  • Minimized a home's impact on the natural environment
  • Maximized an occupant's sense of well-being

The Design and Livability jury also judged each design using the following classical architectural standards:

  • Firmness — structural integrity
  • Commodity — function and comfort
  • Delight — aesthetic appeal

And the Winner Was...

The winner of the Design and Livability Contest was the University of Virginia. Here's what the jury said:

Absolutely fantastic. This design encourages the public to move forward with integrating architecture and technology. Good mix of natural and electric lighting. Most innovative and pleasant living space. Very efficient floor plan. The team thought carefully about how the landscaping enhanced the house design.

You can learn more about the University of Virginia's home and team.