This year, Georgia Tech’s Solar Decathlon Team submitted a project in the Residential Division, partnering with Westside Future Fund, a non-profit dedicated to revitalizing Atlanta’s Westside neighborhoods. This submission focuses on a modular home design that emphasizes affordability, energy efficiency, and community integration. 

The project draws inspiration from the principles of Asset-Based Community Development (ABCD), a methodology that leverages existing community strengths to promote sustainable development.

The goal of this modular home is to provide a scalable, eco-friendly solution to address the housing needs of underserved communities in Atlanta’s Westside. By utilizing modular construction, the design aims to reduce both costs and construction time, making sustainable housing accessible to a broader demographic.

The project showcases cutting-edge sustainable building techniques and energy-efficient solutions, aligning with the Solar Decathlon’s commitment to reducing carbon emissions while providing much-needed housing solutions.

In addition to the residential project, Georgia Tech’s Solar Decathlon Team will also submit an entry in the Education Division, partnering with Early Learning Scholars (ELS), a non-profit daycare and pre-K center based in Clarkston, Georgia. This project focuses on the sustainable redevelopment of ELS’ campus, which serves the city’s diverse community, including many refugee families from around the world. 

Known as “the most diverse square mile in America,” Clarkston has become a beacon of multiculturalism and inclusivity, offering Georgia Tech’s students the opportunity to work on a project that is both socially impactful and environmentally innovative.

The redevelopment will transform ELS from a single building into an interconnected campus of eleven sustainable, energy-efficient structures. This vision includes not only the addition of new classrooms and facilities but also the integration of renewable energy systems to ensure the campus operates at net-zero energy.

The project will help reduce operational costs for the daycare, freeing up resources that can be reinvested into educational programs and community outreach efforts. The design aims to create a modern, inspiring learning environment that reflects the needs of both current and future generations of children and families in Clarkston.

These two projects reflect the Solar Decathlon Team’s commitment to collaboration and community-driven solutions. With support from industry leaders like PerchBuilt, an architecture firm specializing in sustainable design, and Alair, a general contractor with proven expertise in large-scale developments, the team is equipped with the resources and knowledge to bring these ambitious projects to life.

The School of Building Construction's extensive academic and industry networks provide invaluable support, with professors like Frank Wickstead, faculty advisor for the Solar Decathlon Team, ensuring that students gain real-world experience while making meaningful contributions to their communities.

Professor Wickstead said, “the collaboration between our students, industry professionals, and local non-profits creates a unique opportunity to not only compete in the Solar Decathlon but also to make a tangible difference in Atlanta’s underserved neighborhoods. These projects reflect our commitment to sustainable design and our focus on creating spaces that serve both people and the planet.”

Through these two submissions, Georgia Tech’s Solar Decathlon Team is shaping the future of sustainable design while addressing pressing challenges such as climate change, energy equity, and affordable housing. By partnering with local organizations like Westside Future Fund and Early Learning Scholars, the team is making sustainability a central part of community development efforts.

These projects will provide students with hands-on experience in designing and constructing high-performance buildings, while also preparing them to lead the future of sustainable architecture and construction management.

As Georgia Tech’s students continue to innovate and push the boundaries of what’s possible, they are not only preparing to compete in the Solar Decathlon but also creating a lasting impact on the communities they serve. The projects they are developing today are laying the groundwork for a more sustainable, equitable, and resilient future.

For more information about Georgia Tech’s Solar Decathlon Team and their projects, visit the Georgia Tech School of Building Construction.