University of North Texas Net Zero Research Lab Design Competition

///Background|

Dr. Yong X. Tao has more than 20 years of research and 17 years of teaching experience. Prior to joining UNT, he was the Associate Dean of the College of Engineering and Computing at Florida International University in Miami, and a Professor of Mechanical and Materials Engineering. An internationally known researcher in fundamentals of thermal sciences, refrigeration system performance, and renewable energy applications in buildings, he was also Director of the Building Energy, Environment, and Conservation Systems Lab (BEECS) and Multi-Phase Thermal Engineering Lab (MPTE) at FIU.

In 2005, he was the faculty leader of the award-winning FIU Solar Decathlon entry. Faculty, students and the community collaborated in the construction of a house powered entirely by solar energy, which was entered into this US Department of Energy-backed international competition in the National Mall in Washington D.C. The Solar House is now a landmark of theCollege of Engineering and Computing at FIU. In 2008, as Project Director of the Future House USA project, he led a consortium of academics, builders, industry sponsors and lobbyists to represent the US in a ten-country, international demonstration project of renewable energy and environmentally-friendly construction that resulted in a 3,200 sq ft zero-net-energy American House in Beijing, China. On July 16th, 2009, Dr. Tao hosted a visit from US Secretary of Commerce Gary Locke and Secretary of Energy Steven Chu in the American House, and was praised by both Secretaries as playing "vital role in building better collaboration between the United States and China in the area of energy-efficient buildings."

Dr. Tao has regularly been invited to speak since early 2000 to promote renewable energy in new buildings and energy conservation in existing buildings, including features in television, public radio, and periodicals. To further promote this cause on a larger international scale, Dr. Tao, as the Founding Chair, established the first US-EU-China Thermophysics Conference on Renewable Energy held in Beijing in May 2009. He is currently working on several projects related to renewable energy and green buildings, and has also been consulting for start-up businesses, companies exploring new products and building developers in his research areas.

Dr. Tao’s addition to the UNT faculty creates the need for a facility as a place to conduct research on “Whole Building Design Approach.” The focus will be whole building efficiency research, evaluation, and monitoring, in conjunction with material and system research. This initial construction/system will provide the baseline for future research, and will allow the research to evolve as people, technologies, and industries evolve.

///Competition Purpose|

The UNT Net Zero Research Lab Design Competition will be held from August 20th to September 17th, 2010 and is open for individual or team participation. The UNT Net Zero Research Lab Design Competition is challenging all Jacobs designers to submit entries that explore new potential in architecture through the design of a residence-like lab. The judging will be done in two stages, with the second-stage jury to include Dr. Yong Tao of the University of North Texas.

The challenge is to design a sustainable facility that will become the future testing ground for materials, assemblies, and systems on the Discovery Park campus of the University of North Texas in Denton. Joining in is your chance to establish your name as a designer and an opportunity to see your design realized. For all participants, this is your opportunity to think outside of the box and increase our design and sustainability awareness.

///Program|

The UNT Net Zero Research Lab will be a permanent state-of-the-art 1000 s.f. residential-like flexible space/envelope/structure with a main utility core, a bathroom with a shower, a small kitchen with Refrigerator, open flexible living/work space[s], and an attached or detached garage. The project will be located in Denton, Texas, and submissions must respond to location/climate. The facility must be accessible. This UNT Net Zero Research Lab will become a testing ground for present and future sustainable technology, a research and teaching center, and a fund raising focal point for UNT.

The facility will be used to test the following technological and building systems:

+Windows & Screens, Wall Assemblies, Roof

+Solar Photovoltaic [on Roof and Free Standing “Trees”]

+Solar Hot Water Panels

+Energy Star Appliances

+Overhangs

+Skylights [Operable & Non-Operable]

+Geothermal Ground Loop [Vertical “Slinky System]

+Wind Turbine

+Radiant Heated Floor Slab

+Insulation (Structural Insulated Panels) @ Walls and Potentially Roof

+Rainwater Harvesting

+Solar Chimney

+Passive Solar Heating & Cooling

///Project Site|

University of North Texas, Discovery Park, Denton, Texas 76207