Warrior
Home, a
multidisciplinary
student
team
at
the
University
of
Waterloo,
designs
and
builds
high-performing,
net-zero
energy,
affordable,
and
sustainable
homes
for
community
housing
organizations. The
team
has
been
working
with
the
Chippewas
of
Nawash
Unceded
First
Nations
and
Habitat
for
Humanity
Grey
Bruce
for
several
years
to
build
the
first
net-zero
Habitat
for
Humanity
house
on
the Neyaashiinigmiing
Reserve
in
Wiarton,
Ontario.
Through
this
collaboration,
the
team designed
a single-family
detached
home
that
meets
the
unique
needs
of
a
family
and
the community. The
design
process began
in
2017
and
construction
of
the
accessible
four-bed,
two-bath
bungalow
was
completed
in
late
2019.
The
house
was
designed
with
affordability
in
mind, helping
keep
the
initial
cost
of
the
house, utility
bills
and
maintenance
costs
low.
It generates
all
of
its
own
energy
through
the
aid
of
37
solar
panels
on
the
roof.
One great thing about this project is that the design was almost completely done by students, and Habitat for Humanity and the Chippewas of Nawash were amazing partners who supported us throughout the process. It was so cool to be on the build site and actually see the design come to life, and it was also fun to present to the various juries at the competition in April to show off the great work we accomplished.
The team entered the house into an international student competition known as the US Department of Energy’s 2020 Solar Decathlon Build Challenge, which was delayed as a result of COVID-19. Warrior Home won second place for their design, in addition to five other trophies for specific features of the house, including its financial feasibility, comfort, resilience, market potential and innovation.
Check out the home in the video below!
As for what's next, Warrior Home is working on forming a new partnership for the next Solar Decathlon Build Challenge. They will create a new design for the 2022 competition, then build the design and collect performance measurements for the 2023 competition.
In addition, the team wishes to grow. Waterloo Home is made up of diverse University of Waterloo students from three Faculties united by a common goal: sustainable development. They are eager to bring more diverse perspectives on board, especially students interested in finance (i.e., cost estimation and funding), marketing (i.e., graphic design or real estate), or anything else related to home design. A lot goes into the process, so the more diverse perspectives and ideas, the better!
If you have specific questions for Warrior Home and wish to reach out, you can email them at info@warriorhome.ca, fill out the contact form on their website, or message them on Teams if you are a University of Waterloo member. You can also get involved right away by attending Warrior Home's weekly meetings, which take place Mondays at 6:30pm EST on Microsoft Teams during the Spring 2021 term. The link to their weekly meetings is available on their website - just click the 'Join Our Team' button on the left panel!
You can learn more about Warrior Home and their house here:
- Habitat for Humanity Canada
- US Department of Energy Solar Decathalon
- Warrior Home homepage
- Warrior Home project summary
- Warrior Home virtual award ceremony (begin watching at 1:31:39)
Congrats, Warrior Home! Thank you for your contributions to the community and sustainability!