Summary:
WaterShed, the University of Maryland’s entry in the U.S. Department of Energy’s 2011 Solar Decathlon, attracted over 20,000 visitors at Washington, D.C.’s National Mall. While it is currently unavailable for visits, a digital walkthrough can be found on YouTube.
Winning the competition, WaterShed was developed by over 200 students across various disciplines, focusing on affordability, energy efficiency, and aesthetic appeal. The design emphasizes sustainability by integrating with the Chesapeake Bay ecosystem, featuring a split-butterfly roof, green roofs, and constructed wetlands for stormwater management.
Key highlights include the use of LiveRoof’s Hybrid Green Roof System, designed to support vegetation and water filtration. The system’s innovative features, like the Soil Elevator and Moisture Portal, enhance the green roof’s ecological function while maintaining structural integrity. The fully vegetated modules, planted with a diverse Sedum mix, were crucial for showcasing instant greening at the competition.
