From the Solar Decathlon to Sustainable Communities

This thesis explores the potential to use the fundamental elements of UMD’s decathlon submission, and transform it into scalable, modular, fully customizable, and sustainable houses for the Native Tribes, including Apache reservation in Bylas, Arizona. The thesis summarizes the various prototypes and possible arrangements of a solar home, but first lays out significant precedent analysis for sustainable solar communities to form a strong baseline of rich context. The history and culture of the resilient nomadic Apache tribe is then analyzed in order to better understand what is and is not appropriate design-wise for this culture. It explores options, a decision-matrix using a smartphone application, and layouts using the courtyard, compact and cluster arrangements. It concludes with sample houses and building designs that would be in the community