College Students Compete In Solar Decathlon

Team Massachusetts is one of 19 collegiate teams competing in this year's 2011 Solar Decathlon. The award-winning program is organized by the U.S. Department of Energy. It challenges colleges around the world to design and create a solar-powered home that is energy-efficient, cost-effective and fit for a fashionable green living world.

Team Massachusetts (made up of MassArt and the University of Massachusetts Lowell students) has spent the last two years collaborating, designing and building. The result: The 4D Home, a unique, New England-style home that is not only solar-powered and affordable, but also takes into account the fourth dimension of time by easily converting from two bedrooms into one and extending the living and dining rooms so the house can change with the homeowner's shifting needs, environment and economical climate.