UMD 'WaterShed' Team Unveils Solar Decathlon Entry, Thursday, April 7

WHAT:

The University of Maryland Solar Decathlon team officially unveils its innovative entry in the 2011 international U.S. Department of Energy competition - WaterShed - kicks off the next phase of its construction, and offers a look at some of its unique eco-features.

The team will also fill a time capsule for insertion into a WaterShed wall.

So far, the team's students, faculty and mentors have completed Watershed's structural framework.

Taking its inspiration from the nearby Chesapeake Bay, the team is creating a sustainable, solar-powered house that connects its inhabitants with the landscape around them.

Among its design features:

• Constructed wetlands to filter storm water and "greywater";
  
• Green roof to retain rainwater and promote cooling;
  
• Edible landscapes that support community-based agriculture;
  
• Interior waterfall (liquid desiccant) to control humidity.

The University of Maryland Watershed team is one of 20 international finalists competing this fall in the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon 2011. In 2007, Maryland placed second overall and first among U.S. participants.

The team involves students and faculty from the Maryland School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation, the A. James Clark School of Engineering, the College of Computer, Mathematical, and Natural Sciences, the University Libraries, and the School of Agriculture and Natural Resources.

WHO:

WaterShed students, faculty and project mentors
Wallace Loh, president, University of Maryland
Richard King, director of the U.S. DOE Solar Decathlon
David Cronrath, dean, Architecture, Planning and Preservation
Darryl Pines, dean, Clark Schl. of Engineering
Amy Gardner, team principal investigator; assoc. prof., architecture

WHEN:

Thursday, April 7, 2011 from 1:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

1:30 - 1:45 Photo Ops
1:45 - 2:00 President Loh, Amy Gardner, Richard King
2:00 - 2:10 Solar Decathlon Team students
2:30 Time Capsule Ceremony

WHERE:

WaterShed construction Site: 7004 52nd Ave. (off Paint Branch Parkway) College Park, MD 20742

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Maggie Haslam, Communicator
School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation
202-258-8946
Maggiehaslam6@gmail.com

Amy Gardner, Principal Investigator
UMD Solar Decathlon
301-405-6303
turbine@umd.edu

Neil Tickner, Communicator
University of Maryland
301-405-4622
ntickner@umd.edu

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