A Colorado School of Mines team is raising money for a tiny house that they will use to test technologies and features to include in a future Solar Decathlon competition.
As students research energy modeling, University of Colorado-Denver students are helping Mines with the architecture, structural engineering and design. In less than 300 square feet, the house will be designed to include a kitchen, bathroom and office area.
“Not only do we want our schools to be recognized internationally, but we want to put Denver and Colorado on the map for the various sustainable initiatives occurring in the city and state,” said materials science engineering student Ethan Palay. “We also want to encourage future collaboration between Mines and CU-D, as the programs at both universities can complement each other and, together, achieve more.”
Currently, the two teams are raising $5,000 to cover the cost of a trailer for their house. If they meet their goal, they will start construction this summer at Mines Park.
After the house is built, it will be incorporated into a new course this fall, Renewable Energy Design Project (ENGY 498B). Led by Physics Professor Tim Ohno, the course will give students the opportunity to use the space to test out tiny living and perform research. Faculty will also have the opportunity to use the house to teach classes.
“I think the tiny house poses the potential to really broaden some peoples’ interest in energy and build on the minor program we have now,” said mechanical engineering student Katherine Schneider. “It will also create a place where different disciplines can come together to do research on the house.”
The results of the tiny house will help influence the team's design for a 600-1,000-square-foot house, which will be submitted to the Department of Energy in 2017 to be considered for the 2019 Solar Decathlon competition. If their design is chosen, the team will be one of 20 university teams working to build an efficient, affordable and attractive solar-powered home by summer 2019. The houses will be judged in 10 different categories (hence Decathlon), with the winner collecting the most points out of a maximum 1,000 available.
The team includes students James Proctor, Jo Madenjian, Ethan Palay, George Burton, Veronika Zhiteneva, Cameron Barufaldi, Michael Balmes, Maddy Papell, Supriya Tawde, Emily Makoutz, Jessica Kaufman, Andrew Kavas, Dhrupad Parikh, William Daniels, Patrick Hritz and Tristan Debrunner.
Consider supporting the Mines Tiny House team as they prepare to compete in the Solar Decathlon. Visit their website for more information.
Contact:
Kathleen Morton, Digital Media and Communications Manager, Colorado School of Mines | 303-273-3088 | kmorton@mines.edu
Karen Gilbert, Director of Public Relations, Colorado School of Mines | 303-273-3541 | kgilbert@mines.edu
