Wednesday, November 27, 2013

Lamboo is a Major Material Provider for the University of North Carolina Charlotte Urban Eden Solar Decathlon Competition


The U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon challenges collegiate teams to design, build, and operate solar-powered houses that are cost-effective, energy-efficient, and attractive. The winner of the competition is the team that best blends affordability, consumer appeal, and design excellence with optimal energy production and maximum efficiency. 

Open to the public free of charge, the Solar Decathlon gives visitors the opportunity to tour the houses, gather ideas to use in their own homes, and learn how energy-saving features can help them save money today. 

The Solar Decathlon competition took place in Orange County Great Park, Irvine, California spanning over a course of ten days from October 3-13, 2013. Here is where UNC Charlotte competed against twenty other university-led teams in ten different contests.

UNC Charlotte’s entry to the Solar Decathlon 2013, Urban Eden, incorporates revolutionary approaches to sustainable design and construction, combining city-sophistication with an appreciation for our natural world. UrbanEden consists of solar strategies, geopolymer concrete, urban gardening, smart technologies, and urban lifestyle. Consisting of several sponsors, Lamboo was included as a sustaining partner in providing interior as well as exterior materials to complete UrbanEden’s sustainable design. 

The materials for UrbanEden were chosen based on three criteria: environmental impact, durability, and beauty. Lamboo® Design™ panels were used for all the interior built-ins as well as the exterior rain screen panels.


The UNC Charlotte team brought home two awards from the Solar Decathlon 2013. They tied for third place in the juried Engineering Contest and won the popular-vote People’s Choice Award.

For more of the story, see the Solar Decathlon website here.

Lamboo has been featured in previous Solar Decathlon programs as a proud supporter of the University of Illinois team’s “Gable Home” in 2009 and in the international competition in 2011. Since placing 1st in the completion and 2nd overall internationally, Lamboo has been integrated into several other university decathlons.

Visit a gallery of more photos here.