10 Contests

The 10 contests of Solar Decathlon ME 2018 contests will follow the lines of those in previous edition of the international competition. However, these contests will have the necessary customization to challenge the teams to adapt their designs to the heat, dust and high humidity that we experience during part of the year.

ARCHITECTURE

Objective

To evaluate the coherence of the design, the flexibility of space, the innovation, the integration of technologies in architecture and the incorporation of bioclimatic strategies for the Middle East.

Evaluation

A multidisciplinary jury of renowned architects and designers will evaluate the associated deliverables, in addition to on-site evaluation of the house.

ENGINEERING AND CONSTRUCTION

Objective

To evaluate the construction and engineering systems design merit and implementation. Teams will have to demonstrate the higher level of functionality of the house structure, envelope, electricity, plumbing, HVAC, solar system, and their integration.

Evaluation

A multidisciplinary jury of engineering specialists will evaluate the associated deliverables, in addition to on-site evaluation of the house.

ENERGY MANAGEMENT

Objective

To evaluate the house’ electrical energy self-sufficiency, management and reduction of energy consumption.

Evaluation

The evaluation is based on the collected data of the different electric energy flows by the organization’s monitoring system during the competition period.

ENERGY EFFICIENCY

Objective

To evaluate the functionality and efficiency of the house design, systems and components, in addition to their contribution in reducing energy consumption.

Evaluation

A multidisciplinary jury of engineering specialists will evaluate the associated deliverables, in addition to on-site evaluation of the house.

COMFORT CONDITIONS

Objective

To evaluate the capacity for providing interior comfort through the control of temperature, humidity, lighting, quality of interior air and acoustic performance.

Evaluation

The evaluation will be based on the collected data by the organization’s monitoring system during the competition period.

HOUSE FUNCTIONING

Objective

To evaluate the performance of the house, and the efficiency of the selected appliances. The contest represents activities and energy use in a contemporary home.

Evaluation

The evaluation will be based on the collected data by the organization’s monitoring system during the competition period, in addition to task completion.

SUSTAINABLE TRANSPORTATION

Objective

To evaluate the simulation of a typical household driving patterns. In this contest, teams should drive an electric vehicle charged from the house’ electric system several times during the competition.

Evaluation

The evaluation is based on the collected data from the team’s electric vehicle odometer during the competition period.

SUSTAINABILITY

Objective

To evaluate the reduction of the negative environmental impact of the house design, systems and components, during manufacturing, house construction phase, life-cycle and demolition. Vegetation and Water Conservation initiatives will also be evaluated in this contest.

Evaluation

A jury of professionals specialized in the different areas of the contest will evaluate the associated deliverables, in addition to on-site evaluation of the house.

COMMUNICATION

Objective

To evaluate the teams communication capacity to find creative, effective and efficient ways of transmitting the competition relevant topics (sustainability, innovation and energy efficiency), as well as the team and project’s identity.

Evaluation

A jury of communication professionals will evaluate the associated deliverables, dissemination action carried out and its core message from the start of the competition until the event in Dubai. This includes the different activities organized (involving interaction with the public) and the materials submitted (audiovisual, electronic, written, etc.).

INNOVATION

Objective

To evaluate the innovation degree of the house, its systems and components, focusing on emergent, radical and revolutionary changes, in addition to the contribution in improving the performance and efficiency of the house.

Evaluation

A jury of professionals specialized in the different areas of the contest will evaluate the associated deliverables, in addition to on-site evaluation of the house.