 "Photo: Christine Soriaga")
 "Photo: Christine Soriaga")
Drive by the George Bush Presidential Library and Museum and you will see Aggie ingenuity and innovation outside near the parking lot.
The Aggie groHome was designed to respond to the present and future needs of American families and the approach to home building. The groHome was also Texas A&M's award-winning entry in the U.S. Department of Energy's 2007 Solar Decathlon held in Washington D.C. last October.
The Solar Decathlon competition had 20 teams of college students from across the United States and Europe. Students competed to design and build the most attractive and energy efficient solar powered house.
"The Aggie groHome was apart of the solar village that was erected in the Washington Mall," said Phillip Rollfing, director of communications for the College of Architecture.
"The competition itself was based on the groHome concept and the one that was designed by A&M students is very unique."
The groHome features 42 solar panels that provide energy for the 800 square-foot structure, including the electricity, water, appliances, and also the solar powered carport used to charge an electric car.
According to the Texas A&M Solar Decathlon website, the groHome system was designed to allow the homeowner to upgrade or enhance the home at their desire. Homeowners could pay off the home piece by piece rather than taking out large loans.
A&M students spent the majority of the 2007 summer working on the school's entry for the competition.
"Over 100 students in all contributed in some way to the project," Rollfing said.
For the students involved, like senior environmental design major Nick Schaider, the experience was once-in-a-lifetime.
"It's not often students, especially undergrads, are given the opportunity to research, design, and follow through the application of a project held in the public spotlight like this was," Schaider said.
He said he expects the ideas that were proposed in this project will become standards in the building industry.
"Just as it is our generation's responsibility to save the environment, our generation of architects and builders will lead the way to smarter, better construction practices," Schaider said.
Schaider said even though it was quite a daunting task to rebuild the groHome at its current location, he was extremely proud to show off his work to others.
"Any chance to show the community what we as students are doing is great," Schaider said. "It provides a chance for people to experience green technologies like solar power and ultra efficient appliances."
The Aggie groHome was opened to the public June 24 and can be toured daily. Since its opening, Rollfing said that there have been numerous visitors and very positive responses. The groHome will remain at the George Bush Presidential Library and Museum during the fall semester and through the Christmas holidays.
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