Announcing the launch of a new competition for the green building industry! Designed as a catalyst to accelerate change, the Smart Decathlon for innovative Professionals, or SDiPro, challenges professional teams to design, build, and sell energy-efficient, sustainable homes that address the critical need for affordable housing in the United States. As a collaborative partner with EEBA, SDiPro aims to jump-start the supply of healthy, zero-impact housing for today’s consumers.
SDiPro builds on the resounding success of the U. S. Department of Energy’s Solar Decathlon, which challenges university teams to design and build energy-efficient homes powered by the sun. SDiPro goes one step further. Professional teams will take the lead to design, build, and sell high-performance homes. With SDiPro, the spotlight is on innovation in homes equipped with the latest and greatest smart technology to ensure consumer comfort and adaptability in beautiful, safe sanctuaries. With SDiPro, those homes are available for purchase on the spot.
Who should participate?
We encourage all who are affiliated with EEBA to consider SDiPro participation. The competition is open to existing businesses, new businesses, and start-ups. In addition, a major goal is to encourage entrepreneurship and investment in new talent among developers and design and construction firms, including minority-owned businesses.
We are also looking to EEBA members for support of this new initiative. We hope you will consider your resources and capacity to pitch in or contribute to SDiPro. The generosity of partners and sponsors is a vital part of our success. Please visit our SUPPORT page to find out more. We need your help!
How does the competition work?
Phase one of SDiPro is a virtual competition with ten different contests: Architecture and Interior Design, Energy Self-Sufficiency, Engineering, Sustainable Materials, Water Conservation, Adaptability for Diverse Needs, Marketing and Media, Health and Safety, New Talent, and Affordability. Participating teams will present narrative summaries, design plans, and drawings for SDiPro homes. Panels of experts will judge these submissions. Winners will be chosen for each of the ten contests, with a big media splash to announce the top finishers.
Phase two of SDiPro will consist of a series of on-site events. Participating teams will actually build their model homes and showcase them for the public at these events. Interested homebuyers will tour and experience SDiPro homes, which will be available for immediate purchase. In addition, participating teams will be included in the decision-making process to select optimal locations for these home sales events across the country. Media attention will entice thousands of potential homebuyers to visit these showcase events, and teams will compete for the highest volume of green home sales during a ten-day period.
How do you enter?
Interested teams should complete the SDiPro Application Form, along with a summary of conceptual design plans and drawings for their house. The summary must address how the proposed house will meet criteria for the ten contests. Fifteen teams will be selected to participate in SDiPro.
Applications to enter are due February 1, 2021. Visit the PARTICIPATION page on our website for more details, the application form, and the timeline for SDiPro.
Why SDiPro?
Over the past two decades, SDiPro founders, Richard and Melissa King, have been inspired over and over again with the creative ingenuity of student decathletes on display at Solar Decathlon competitions in the United States and all over the world. In the process, they discovered that many visitors wanted to buy those start-of-the-art, forward-reaching homes. The logical next step? A competition for professionals!
SDiPro leverages team motivation to strive to be the best as a spark plug for “smart” innovative ideas in the green building industry. This time, eager consumers are part of the story. Let’s mobilize to spur momentum that can make sustainable housing mainstream in today’s growing marketplace!
Visit the SDiPro website to get energized and find out more.
Reach out to share your own ideas and let us know how you can support our efforts.
richardking@decathlonforpros.com
melissaking@decathlonforpros.com
We look forward to hearing from you!