University of Florida uses sustainable Accoya wood in zero-energy house
Accoya® wood, the world’s leading high-technology wood, is being used in the University of Florida’s international Solar Decathlon competition entry entitled Project RE:FOCUS. The team’s award-winning design utilizes sustainable materials in the zero-energy house, combining a back-to-basics approach to energy conservation with the latest technological advances.
The home’s innovative design allows the homeowner to customize the home to individual preference. Strong architectural elements include a covered open porch with a breezeway oriented to the prevailing wind. Accoya wood is featured in the adjustable exterior screens, allowing the homeowner to control privacy or utilize natural daylight, thus reducing energy consumption.
“Accoya wood really fell in line with our sustainable goals for the house,” said Paige Mainor, design contributor, Project RE:FOCUS, University of Florida Solar Decathlon Europe. “From the beginning, our goal was to work with materials that take into consideration the overall size of the carbon footprint and Accoya wood fit nicely into that category”, added Mainor.
The modified Accoya wood is made from sustainably-grown sources and undergoes a non-toxic patented acetylation process to increase its dimensional stability and durability to beyond that of even the best tropical hardwoods. Accoya wood is suitable for demanding exterior applications including decking, windows, doors and siding. The shrink and swell cycle is reduced by more than 75%, resulting in coatings lasting three to five times longer than unmodified wood under normal circumstances. Highly durable, Accoya wood is warranted against rot and decay. Accsys Technologies guarantees Accoya wood 50 years above ground and 25 years in ground or fresh water immersion or saltwater spray, such as marina decking.
“Working with Accsys Technologies was a good experience and the donation was huge for us,” said Dereck Winning, project lead, Project RE:FOCUS University of Florida Solar Decathlon Europe. “We chose Accoya wood due to its environmentally friendly process and it performs similar to hardwood,” said Winning.
Accsys Technologies, the creator of Accoya wood, supports innovative sustainable design initiatives. “We are delighted to contribute to this important international competition,” commented Lisa Ayala, sales manager, North America for Accsys Technologies. “The Project RE:FOCUS design is not only beautiful, but also an excellent example of how new technologies such as Accoya wood can contribute to an environmentally sound home,” Ayala added.
The Solar Decathlon is a biannual competition where universities around the world design and build self-sustaining structures. Founded by the U.S. Department of Energy, the competition aims to educate the public about renewable energy and technologies. The Solar Decathlon Europe 2010 competition takes place in Madrid, Spain in June. Two teams will be competing from the United States.
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