This home exemplified what I was hoping I would find at the Solar Decathlon: young minds pushing the traditional ways we use materials, helping to shape future concepts in construction, and developing methods we can utilize in today’s designs and buildings.

In setting out to build a more efficient and cost-effective home, the Caltech team completely re-thought the traditional home-building process. This led to the home’s unique look, defined by the vinyl plastic exterior. In addition to being weather resistant and unique in appearance, this exterior worked to maintain temperature by reflecting light—an important characteristic in sunny Southern California, the students’ home.

The Caltech house, as well as many others, combined form, function and style. The teams were able to create extraordinary dwellings while keeping the overall costs reasonable. They did this by using commonly-available materials—plastics, alternative insulation, and reclaimed wood —but in innovative ways. In many instances, by using the same insulation found in most homes, such as spray polyurethane foam or polystyrene foam insulation board, the teams were able to achieve energy efficiency at rates many times that of most homes built today. Additionally, thoughtfully placed plastics in window frames, counters, and even the outside of the home, which helped to increase durability and energy efficiency, were a key factor in cutting costs while maintaining key elements of design.

And what would a recap of the Solar Decathlon be if I didn’t mention solar panels? The Solar Decathlon displayed how exquisite design and solar panels can fit together seamlessly. In fact, in many instances, solar panels blended so well into the general designs of the homes they were practically indistinguishable on their own. The Appalachian State home incorporated solar panels as shading for an outdoor area, and the Ohio State home encased its home’s exterior in plastic sheets that ran from the base of the home to the roof. This helped to maintain continuity in the home’s look, while also providing protection from sun or rain.

The lessons I learned at the Solar Decathlon are not in any way limited to the confines of the event itself. Rather, the innovations on display were wide-ranging and fundamental, and homebuilders, remodelers, and designers should challenge themselves to think as the students did – to take the various resources we have at hand and, starting from scratch, assemble them with energy efficiency, affordability, comfort and function as the main objectives.

I have no doubt that many of the designs and innovations featured during 2011’s Solar Decathlon will become mainstream in the not-so-distant future. I for one returned to my home in Southern California looking forward to applying the brilliant innovations I witnessed, both on my show, and in my own home.

View the 2011 Solar Decathlon event photo gallery here. 

Brooks and Plastics Make it Possible^® will attend the 2011 Solar Decathlon in Washington, DC, where collegiate teams from across the nation showcase livable homes built using the latest innovations in green building and energy efficiency.  Tomorrow’s architects, home designers and engineers compete at the Solar Decathlon for top honors in environmentally friendly home design.

A Salt Lake City native, Brooks has had a hand in carpentry and home design since he was 12 years old. Brooks has a special talent and creative mind set that allows him to take unexpected materials and incorporate them into home design, resulting in unique, unparalleled design aesthetics.

In 2002, Brooks moved to Los Angeles where he joined HGTV’s Designed to Sell as a construction and renovation expert. He was later featured as a design expert on Style Network’s What I Hate About Me. Brooks can also be seen on HGTV’s $250,000 Design Challenge where he works with homeowners to execute incredible designs. Brooks is currently filming Home Made Simple as the resident design expert, which is slated to premier on OWN Network.

Brooks is known for his personal philosophy of “recycle, reuse, repurpose” which keeps his designs fresh and unexpected – and his clients craving his creativity.

While at the Solar Decathlon, Brooks will explore and report on the many innovative ways plastics are used to make homes energy efficient and stylish. He’ll touch on some common misunderstandings about home energy efficiency. And he’ll shed some light (CFL, of course) and share some handy tips on ways to increase a home’s energy efficiency without great expense.

Of particular interest, Brooks will spotlight the Solar Decathlon home designed by Caltech that uses vinyl plastic sheathing to create insulation covering the outside of the home – better known as “outsulation.”

Keep checking back for updates and tips from Brooks on ways to conserve energy and utilize unexpected resources. Small changes can make a big difference, and Brooks is here to show you how.