In its inaugural year, 28 teams from U.S. and Canadian universities competed to design cost-effective Zero Energy Ready Homes for mainstream builders. The core zero energy ready requirement focused on high-performance features that sharply reduce energy use, and allow for all or most of the remaining energy use to be offset with renewable energy. The winning teams produced market-ready, state-of-the-art design solutions for high-performance homes that are energy efficient, comfortable, and durable.

A juried selection and awards event was held at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory on April 26-28, 2014. During this event, students presented their submissions to national experts, including leading high-performance builders, building science professionals, and researchers.

As part of this dynamic event, visionaries from the housing industry presented their perspectives on the future of high-performance housing.

2014 Winning Teams

Grand Winners

Montage Builders Northern Forest: State University of New York – Environmental Science and Forestry, Syracuse University, and Onondaga Community College: Best Single-Family Detached Design (team roster | project profile | presentation)

Ryerson University’s Urban Harvest Team: Best Single-Family Attached Design (team roster | project profile | presentation | team submission)

Best Design Solution Integration

  • Auburn University’s MIDC Orange Team (project profile)
  • Georgia Institute of Technology (project profile)
  • Montage Builders Northern Forest: State University of New York – Environmental Science and Forestry, Syracuse University, and Onondaga Community College
  • Ryerson University’s Urban Harvest Team

Best Technical Integration

Best Presentation

  • Auburn University’s MIDC Blue Team (project profile)
  • Ryerson University’s Threshold House Team (project profile)
  • Ryerson University’s Urban Harvest Team
  • University of Minnesota

Best Production Home Integration

Special Recognition for Subject Area Excellence

  • Auburn University College of Architecture, Design & Construction (Team MIDC Blue) – Design Goals; Zero Net Energy Use
  • Clemson University – Lighting & Appliances
  • Georgia Institute of Technology (Team gt. 5) – Construction Documents
  • Penn State University (Team Nittany Lions E-den) – IAQ Evaluation
  • Pennsylvania College of Technology (PCT Team Blue) – Financial Analysis
  • Ryerson University’s Threshold House Team – Design Goals; Construction Documents
  • University of Kansas (Team KU 609) – Construction Documents
  • University of Minnesota (Team Opti-MN) – Construction Documents
  • University of Pittsburgh (Team Panther Innovations) – Financial Analysis
  • University of Utah School of Architecture (Team Utah Lab House) – Construction Documents