by Rebecca Walker — August 19, 2009—Cornell University students are preparing their eco-friendly “Silo House” for the 2009 Solar Decathlon competition in Washington, D.C. The Solar Decathlon is a prestigious international competition sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) that challenges 20 college and university teams from around the world to design, build, and operate the most aesthetic and energy-efficient model home possible.
Designed by Cornell University architectural student Irina Chernyakova, the Silo House style combines sustainable modular design with a unique assembly of geometric elements. Chernyakova’s intention was to emulate the colloquial architecture of the upstate New York landscape, combining traditional and original elements to create a complete living space.
Considering the challenges faced by these students to design and build a truly energy-efficient house adaptable to the rural New York State climate, Thermablok became the eco-friendly insulation of choice for the project team. Thermablok’s aerogel nano-technology, developed in conjunction with NASA, is the highest insulating material known to exist.
It is estimated that 40 percent of our energy is used controlling the temperature in buildings alone. More than 30 percent of this energy escapes from the building primarily through conventionally insulated walls and windows in a process termed thermal bridging. Thermablok interrupts thermal bridging, significantly decreasing energy loss. Tests by the DOE’s Oak Ridge and JM laboratories indicated R- value increase of more than 40 percent.
Thermablok is virtually weightless, 100 percent recyclable, hydrophobic (will not combine with water) and consists of more than 95 percent air, making it easy and inexpensive to ship, store and install. It is Class “A” fire rated, Cradle to Cradle Silver certified and will not age, says the company.
For more information on Thermablok and its parent company, Acoustiblok Inc., see the Web sites.
