Culture
Designing a Home That Can Withstand a Hurricane
“Sure House,” designed by the Stevens Institute of Technology, just won the Department of Energy’s Solar Decathlon.
In an ideal world, everyone would be driving around in electric cars, our goods would be properly recycled and reused, and all of our homes would include solar panels.
But it’s no secret that sustainable living often runs into issues of affordability and feasibility, especially in urban areas. When it comes to home building, in particular, installing renewable energy can be a costly affair, and relying on wind or sun to power your home often entails serious lifestyle adjustments (in some cases, you may have to forget about that late night cup of coffee). Then there’s the issue of pure aesthetics—homes built with sustainable materials aren’t always the most attractive.