Solar home holds special meaning for Schulich student
Solar home holds special meaning for Schulich student
Adam Cripps in the solar home’s kitchen during construction. Photo Jennifer Sowa.The 2011 Solar Decathlon gets underway September 23 in Washington, D.C. and when the University of Calgary’s student-built solar house goes on display for all the world to see, Adam Cripps will be especially proud. He is a fourth-year civil engineering student in the Energy and Environment specialization at the Schulich School of Engineering. Cripps played a key role in designing and building Canada’s only entry in the international solar house competition.
The self-contained solar powered home is intended to help meet the housing needs in aboriginal communities. The project holds special meaning for Cripps, whose grandmother grew up on the Ermineskin First Nation reserve near Hobbema, Alberta. His great-great-grandfather Samuel Minde once served as chief.
“As someone with Aboriginal ancestry, the project gives me an additional sense of pride,” explains Cripps. “There’s the real possibility that a house with a similar philosophy will take off and be marketed to First Nations in the future. This could change many lives and start a regenerative trend in aboriginal culture and daily life.”
Cripps was part of the structural team and served as construction manager. He was on site from the start of construction in June and saw it through to completion, which meant spending six or seven days a week on site for two months straight.
Cripps says there’s a need for more low-cost housing on reserves and adds that traditional aboriginal culture appears to be declining in everyday life. The University of Calgary’s solar house addresses both issues. It is culturally relevant because of the painted canvas ceiling, eastern entrance and a shape that is intended to blend with nature.
“It’s great to be able to see the final product of what you’ve helped design.”
His father is a metallurgical engineer, which inspired Adam Cripps to enter the profession himself. Once Cripps arrived at the Schulich School of Engineering, he developed an interest in energy-efficient buildings and plans to work in that area after graduation.
Find out more
- September 21, 2011: 'All systems go’ on Canada’s solar home
- Follow the team on Twitter: http://twitter.com/@CenovusTRTL
- Visit Team Canada's website: http://solardecathlon.ca/
- Visit the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon website: http://www.solardecathlon.gov/
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