![\"\"](\"https:\/\/uwm.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/41\/2020\/03\/arial-dark-window300x200-2-24-20_.jpg\")
The focus is on creating a base model suited to the climate of the upper Midwest. The team has chosen modern farmhouse and arts and crafts styles, using best practices for zero net energy.<\/p>\n
For the first time, the team is partnering with three clients who will actually build the models on three different sites across Wisconsin.<\/p>\n
One house in Verona, Wisconsin, is being designed as a starter home for a young family. With Epic Systems, an international\u00a0 medical software company in Verona, and the area\u2019s proximity to Madison, the residential market in the area is strong, Keane said.<\/p>\n
The second house, which will be built in Jackson County, is a retirement home for a couple. The third home, which will be built in Osceola, Wisconsin, is part of the Community Homestead, and will provide independent living in a farm setting for four special needs young adults.<\/p>\n
The students will design a 1,200-square foot base home that can be customized and expanded with a kit of parts. The Verona home will be built by construction students from Madison College.<\/p>\n
The students are also partnering with seven homebuilders and architects who will review their plans and offer advice on the marketing potential. Students from 51ÁÔÆæ and UW-Madison and faculty from Madison College made a presentation to clients and partners in November.<\/p>\n
\u201cAll three clients have weighed in on multiple occasions just like the real world and the students are responding with stronger schemes,\u201d Keane said. The final report is due March 30, and the final presentation April 14.<\/p>\n
Good learning experience<\/h3>\n
The collaboration is a good learning experience for both the architecture and engineering students on the team, Keane said, giving both groups a chance to learn more about the other profession\u2019s approach to saving energy.<\/p>\n
Architecture students, who are working together in a studio class, for example look at how to site the house to take advantage of natural light and sun,\u00a0 create a well-insulated \u201cenvelope\u201d using cost-effective structural insulated panels. At the same time, the design has to allow for good ventilation for comfort and remain durable for decades in Wisconsin\u2019s harsh environment. Engineering students are working to develop the most energy-efficient heating and lighting systems using solar panels with backup heat sources and energy-efficient appliances.<\/p>\n
One key factor will be designing homes that can be built economically, Keane said. Low energy homes are popular in states like Arizona and California, but designing and building them in the Midwest is often more expensive.<\/p>\n
The group home in Osceola operates on a shoestring budget, Keane said. \u201cWe can\u2019t do this without considering expense. \u201cWe must do this with a budget in mind.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
For the fifth year in a row, a group of architecture students from 51ÁÔÆæ and engineering students from UW-Madison are working together to design a house for the U.S. Department of Energy\u2019s Solar Decathlon.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":835,"featured_media":81373,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":"","uwm_wg_additional_authors":[]},"categories":[174],"tags":[249,250],"section":[258,127],"display_categories":[115,116],"related-coverage":[],"uwmnews-feed":[145,344,144],"class_list":["post-81372","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news","tag-community-engagement","tag-student-success","section-architecture","section-arts-humanities","display_categories-top-story-secondary","display_categories-top-story-section","uwmnews-feed-architecture","uwmnews-feed-arts-architecture","uwmnews-feed-architecture-urban-planning"],"yoast_head":"\n