WaterShed at the University of Maryland | U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon 2011

With support from the Maryland Water Resources Research Center, our selection of native plants filter grey water from the house for non-potable uses such as irrigation.

WaterShed's unique framing and complex transportation would not be possible without the support, construction partnership, and mentorship of ProBuilt Homes.

Our photovoltaic array, generating enough power to meet our energy demand, is made possible with the support of Constellation Energy's E2 Energy to Educate Grant.

The fine craftsmanship of our home is made possible with the mentorship, construction, and financial support of Whiting-Turner Contracting Co.

Our partnership with Robert Silman Associates began at concept development and extended through the life of the project including structural analysis, sealed drawings and calculations, assembly consultation, teaching and mentorship.

Thanks to Indian Bridge Farms, WaterShed's environmental integration is supported by the native plants and landscaping strategies that reduce the need for supplemental watering and maintenance.

Our sponsors, Tremco and Ruff Roofers, helped us to deliver a roof solution that includes a standing seam galvalume metal roof sloped at 12.82 degrees to maximize efficiency of the photovoltaic panels, complimented by a white TPO roof designed to maximize solar reflectance.

Fall protection and scaffolding from Sales Solutions Inc and Safway Scaffolding allowed our team to work safely on even the hard to reach pieces of WaterShed.

Thanks to our sponsors and mentors from Tremco and Dow Building Solutions, WaterShed's exterior envelope consists of a liquid applied air barrier, peel and stick flashings, and 4

The pergola plays many roles including integrating solar panels, supporting vertical green walls, and shading west facing glazing. Gutierrez Studios was a terrific design partner as well as a construction/assembly advisor to our work in developing this element of the project.

Thanks to Heister House Millworks and Bingaman Lumber, thermo-poplar siding is installed on the exterior of the house's tongue-and-groove sheathing over a water resistive barrier and drainage plane. The thermo-wood reduces susceptability to rot or pest infiltration without the use of chemicals.

A modular green roof from LiveRoof reduces stormwater run-off and addresses the heat island effect.

Thanks to Greenspring Energy and Fasten Master, WaterShed has mounted 36 Sanyo photovoltaics panels on the roof and 6 on the pergola to convert solar energy into electricity.