SF Graduate Competes in 2010 Solar Decathlon
July 20, 2010
SF alum Jake Landreneau has a new theme song: “I'll Follow the Sun.” This summer, Landreneau took the Beatles' advice and followed that big, yellow ball all the way to Spain.
Landreneau, who graduated from SF in August 2009 with an AA and had focused on building construction, was part of the UF team participating in the 2010 Solar Decathlon Europe.
Landreneau now attends UF's M.E. Rinker School of Building Construction. He became involved in the competition about eight months ago. The project has been ongoing for the past two years. The Solar Decathlon was a biennial event started in the U.S., but recently became an annual competition that will alternate European and American locations. The first international challenge took place this summer in Madrid, Spain. UF was one of 17 schools to participate in the event, whose goal was to design, build, and operate a solar-powered houses. Each home was also to be cost-effective, energy-efficient, and attractive.
UF's entry was a modern interpretation of the classic Florida Cracker house. Landreneau designed the floor of the modular home using heart-of-pine boards reclaimed from a 19th century Micanopy home. He was also part of the team that did most of the interior and exterior finishes.
“I always like being hands on. I get great satisfaction from taking something from beginning to end,” said Landreneau.
The event, which ran for 10 days in June, attracted teams from China, Finland, Spain, UK, Germany, France and the U.S. The UF team took several awards including first place in the Public's Choice Web competition, which was based on Internet popularity. Before it was over, the team had several offers to buy the house. The house is now in transit back to the U.S. where it will be put on display at UF.
Visit the Re-Focus House website for more images and info!
~This press release by David Hackett, Communication Specialist, College Relations
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