Fall 2009 Newsletter - M E Rinker Sr School of Building Construction ...

UF to represent U.S. in International Solar DecathalonMadrid, Spain. Spring 2010. That is when two years of planning,designing and building will end with the final phase of competitionfor the Solar Decathlon Europe.Led by building construction assistant professor Robert Ries asprincipal investigator, the UF Solar Decathlon Team will be oneof only two U.S. universities in the competition. For the decathlon,20 university teams from around the world compete against eachother to build the best 797-square-foot modular sustainable home,according to criteria in 10 different areas. Team members includebuilding construction faculty Jim Sullivan and Russell Walters, aswell as architecture faculty Mark McGlothlin and Bradley Waltersand interior design professor Maruja Torres. Students from throughoutthe university play a role on the team.UF’s design is unique among the competition as it takes inspirationfrom Florida’s own vernacular buildings, specifically the FloridaCracker House. The UF house includes passive, natural techniques– such as a central breezeway, porch and elevated platform – for adesign approach that integrates traditional means of housing withinnovative solar technologies to create a house that is both efficientand functional.Tom Smith and his wife Edith Williams donated materials salvagedfrom the McCredie house near Micanopy, Fla., which the teamhelped deconstruct (pictured).If you want to join the effort to showcase the talents of UF studentsin this international competition, please visit http://solardecathlon.dcp.ufl.edu/index.php/communication/sponsors or by contactingLynne Capece at (352) 392-4836 ext 314 or lcapece@ufl.edu.The following sponsors have committedeither financial support or other supportto this project: The Marshall E.Rinker, Sr. Foundation, Inc., ArthurG. and Beverley A. Witters, TheHaskell Company, Blue Ridge Numerics,Inc., and Magnum Wood.UF Solar Decathlon Team memberAndrew Herbert works on de-nailingand cutting a floor joist. The donatedwood is from a deconstructed homeand will be used in the construction ofthe team’s solar home.To bring this design to life in Madrid, the team has received materialdonations and sponsorships. Most recently, architecture professorStudent Exchange ProgramDuring the Spring 2009 semester BCN had three exchange studentsvisiting from the Department of Building and Real Estate at theHong Kong Polytechnic University. Rui Man (Allen) stated thatof the BCN courses that he took, Mechanical Systems was the onethat he adored most because of the labs apart from the lectures. Healso stated that the professors were “so kind, helpful and patient toanswer any questions.” Allen developed a close relationship withlocal students as well as other overseas students and the experiencewill be unforgettable. He talked of their different lifestyles andcultures and often drove to have dinner or play at Lake Wauburg.Allen states that he is very excited to have attended UF when the2008 National Football Championship was won!! He considershimself a ‘Gator’ now!Below is a direct quote of Allen’s time at UF..... “During the onesemesterexchange life, I experienced much about American campuslife, the culture as well as many places of interest. With thewonderful environment and good academic atmosphere, I think theUniversity of Florida is an ideal place to carry on study or research.I’m lovin’ it!”Dr. Chini visits with the Hong Kong Exchange Students (L to R) RuiMan “Allen”, Chun Ni Ng “Jenny”, and Heng Zhang.Congratulations to Adam Milner (S2) and Marisa McGough (J2) for achievingthe Award of Merit from the ABC Florida Gulf Coast Student Chapter.26