2020 Student Engagement Highly Commended: University of Wollongong - Australia

University of Wollongong - Desert Rose – A House for Life Demonstrating Sustainable Dementia Friendly Design

The Solar Decathlon competition challenges teams of university students to design, build and operate solar-powered houses that are innovative, energy-efficient and attractive. The University of Wollongong’s “Desert Rose” project involved students and staff from all five faculties and TAFE NSW. This team of students and staff have worked tirelessly to demonstrate the possibility of building a sustainable energy-efficient home that also meets the needs of an ageing population. Team UOW achieved second place overall in the Solar Decathlon Middle East 2018 competition, along with 8 other awards. “The Desert Rose” is the first dementia friendly home in a Solar Decathlon.

Top three learnings:

1. Dream Big. The power of big dreams helps give students the drive and initiative to be involved and solve complex problems through a multidisciplinary approach.
2. Diversity. Think outside the box and ask other disciplines and cultures their thoughts, it may surprise you what they have to offer to the problem.
3. Consult Early and Wide. Don’t try and solve problems without involving people who are at the centre of the problem as they are the solution