In a spectacular showcase of brilliance and innovation, the Solar Decathlon India 2022-23 (SDI) Design Challenge for Net-Zero Future Proof Building concluded its highly anticipated 3rd edition at Infosys’ campus in Mysuru. Over the course of the challenge, 1780 students hailing from 126 esteemed academic institutions passionately vied for recognition, presenting their cutting-edge solutions for a sustainable and net-zero future. The grand finale witnessed 12 exceptional teams emerging victorious in various categories, captivating a crowd of over 650 people.
The SDI Design Challenge pushed the boundaries of creativity as student teams presented net-zero solutions for 36 real building projects on the final day of the event. The inspiring presentations left the audience awestruck, highlighting the remarkable talent and dedication of these young minds.
The momentous occasion reached its pinnacle as the top six teams from each division presented their groundbreaking solutions to a distinguished Grand Jury, comprising renowned figures from the real estate and media sectors. Among the esteemed panel of judges was Anish Malpani, an influential innovator and social entrepreneur who delivered a captivating keynote address.
Ultimately, it was Team V⁰ from Visvesvaraya National Institute of Technology, Nagpur, that claimed the prestigious Grand Prize, solidifying their position as the creators of the most promising and investment-worthy design. Their outstanding achievement exemplifies the spirit of the Solar Decathlon India, which aims to nurture and foster the next generation of leaders in combatting climate change.
Prasad Vaidya, Director of Solar Decathlon India, expressed his awe at the caliber of net-zero building designs showcased by the student teams. He declared, “These students have developed designs that rival the work of the best professional design teams in India. In just nine months, they have scaled a steep learning curve. It is high time that building owners and developers demand this level of excellence for every project they invest in.”
The annual challenge, jointly organized by the Indian Institute for Human Settlements (IIHS) and the Alliance for an Energy-Efficient Economy (AEEE), under the aegis of the Indo-US Science and Technology Forum (IUSSTF), encourages a healthy competitive spirit among undergraduate and postgraduate students. Chaitali Bhattacharya, Interim Director of IUSSTF, commended the inventive solutions presented, stating, “The Solar Decathlon India is an innovative platform that challenges youngsters to think outside the box and utilize their ingenuity to design a net-zero niche. The imaginative solutions to global climate change challenges were truly inspiring.”
Furthermore, the event served as a catalyst for change, attracting leading organizations working on climate change and net-zero buildings to scout the best and brightest minds. On May 28, Solar Decathlon India hosted an internship fair, providing an avenue for these organizations to connect with the talented participants and harness their skills to drive the sustainable building movement forward.
In a significant development, the Council of Architecture (CoA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding with AEEE, the co-organizer of SDI, as a knowledge partner. This partnership aims to expand the outreach and impact of Solar Decathlon India, facilitating the participation of architectural educational institutions and students in the competition. By joining forces, CoA and AEEE aim to nurture the next generation of climate change leaders in India.
Aromar Revi, Director of IIHS and co-author of the IPCC AR6 2023 Synthesis report, emphasized the importance of resilient net-zero buildings in the urban transition to mitigate global warming. He commended the finalists of Solar Decathlon India for their innovative proposals, which integrated renewable technologies, sustainable design, and community engagement,
“The IPCC AR6 2023 Synthesis report emphasises the importance of resilient net-zero buildings in the urban transition to limit global warming. The Solar Decathlon India finalists proposed innovative solutions integrating renewable technologies, sustainable design, and community engagement to transform Indian cities to achieve the 1.5oC goal,” Aromar Revi, Director, IIHS and co-author of the report, elaborated.
“Bringing about a paradigm shift in design and construction practices is a complex and time-consuming task. It is thrilling to witness the ideas and designs that have emerged from this season of Solar Decathletes for net-zero buildings across different building typologies. The novelty with which they engage with various tools and skills introduced to them through the Solar Decathlon India has transformative potential for the building sector,” Satish Kumar, President, and Executive Director of AEEE, stressed.
The three-day finals were conducted as a carbon-neutral event. The SDI trophies awarded to the winners were themselves carbon negative, demonstrating how Climate Change mitigation can be addressed with creativity and perseverance.
The Solar Decathlon India 2023-24 challenge saw over 30 organisations offer opportunities for the challenge participants.
Full list of division-wise winners of the Solar Decathlon India 2022-23 Challenge:
Single-Family Housing
Winner: Team Zenith from Arvindbhai Patel Institute of Environmental Design and MANIT Bhopal
Runner Up: Team SuGriha from Malaviya National Institute of Technology Jaipur and MBS School of Planning and Architecture
Multi-Family Housing
Winner: Team Synergy from Sir J.J. College of Architecture and Thakur College of Engineering and Technology
Runner Up: Team Al Ma’arij from M.H. Saboo Siddik College of Engineering and Rizvi College of Architecture
Educational Building
Winner: Team Green Collars from RV College of Architecture and School of Design, RV University
Runner Up: Team LENS from SMEF’s Brick School of Architecture and BRACT’s Vishwakarma Institute of Information Technology
Office Building
Winner: Team V⁰ from Visvesvaraya National Institute of Technology, Nagpur
Runner Up: Team ECO-TRIBE from Dr. Bhanuben Nanavati College of Architecture and Navsahyadri Education Society’s Group of Institutions – Engineering
Community Resilience Shelter
Winner: Team Samakrut from SMEF’s Brick School of Architecture and BRACT’s Vishwakarma Institute of Information Technology
Runner Up: Team Tattva from Manipal School of Architecture and Planning, Manipal Institute of Technology, and Academy of Architecture Rachana Sansad
On-Site Construction Worker Housing
Winner: Team Echo from the School of Architecture Planning & Design, DIT University, and Dehradun Institute of Technology University
Runner Up: Team Sattva 2.0 from University School of Architecture and Planning and Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee
