US Department of Energy Solar Decathlon

Each competing team must design, build, and operate solar-powered, net-zero-energy houses that are not only energy-efficient, but also hyper-functional and cost-effective. What better way to achieve this than with transforming furniture? Resource Furniture and CLEI were major sponsors of the collaborative efforts of six collegiate teams including:

• Arizona State University and The University of New Mexico
• University of Louisville, Ball State University and University of Kentucky
• Norwich University
• Southern California Institute of Architecture and California Institute of Technology
• Queen’s University, Carleton University, and Algonquin College
• University of Southern California

For instance, Arizona State University and the University of New Mexico (Team ASUNM), installed a number of multifunctional solutions from Resource Furniture and CLEI: the LGM Tavolo “wall bed” (once known as a “Murphy bed”), the Ito sofa wall bed, a Goliath console that expands to become a full dining table, and several other space-saving products, which allow the interior flex space — a large living area — to morph seamlessly into a bedroom at night, an office during the day, or a movie theater for 20. The separate bedroom, complete with the wall bed, is also used as a TV room and living room during the day. The console table quickly expands to accommodate a large dinner party of ten.

The goals of the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon are completely aligned with those of Resource Furniture – to support, promote and educate people about sustainable and efficient living solutions both now and into the future. By challenging students across the globe to think critically about the way we live, this competition is providing up-and-coming scientists, engineers and architects hands-on experience in designing our future.