Inhabitat

Sun-Powered Japanese Racecar Wins World Solar Challenge

We’ll admit it: We’ve never totally understood Nascar’s appeal. I mean, come on, it’s just a bunch of cars going round and round a track like a zillion times! But the World Solar Challenge? Now that is one car race we can really get behind. The event, which started way back in 1987, features solar-powered vehicles created by some of the world’s top engineering colleges. Using the power of the sun instead of polluting fossil fuels, the cars race across thousands of miles in order to advance solar and electric vehicle technology — and to achieve the satisfaction of winning, of course.

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The New Bouwkunde Architecture Proposal Swoops Like a Skateboard Ramp

by Bridgette Meinhold, 10/20/09

Back in 2008, a devastating fire tore through the Bouwkunde building where the Faculty of Architecture at the Delft University of Technology resided, resulting in a loss of more than just a structure, but also a home base for many students and faculty. To put the tragedy in the past, the university set out to start anew with a design competition to rebuild the Bouwkunde that would focus on community, sustainability, and adaptability. One of the designs is from Adam Wojtalik for his masters project, and resembles the biggest skateboard ramp you’ve ever seen. His clever solar panel-clad design for The New Bouwkunde features well thought out work areas for both students and faculty and lots of public space for relaxing and meeting.

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Solar Powered Nuna5 Racecar Unveiled

by Jorge Chapa, 06/30/09

Delft University recently unveiled a sleek solar-powered vehicle that they hope will score them their fifth trophy in the World Solar Challenge race. Dubbed the Nuna5, the vehicle is entirely propelled by the sun’s rays, and is designed to cross one of the most difficult terrains on the planet, the Australian outback. Think that your fossil fuel vehicle is up to the task? These students know that theirs is!

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Geotectura’s AIRchitecture: Flying Buildings!

by Emily Pilloton, 03/25/09

It’s a bird! It’s a plane! It’s… a building? The latest from Geotectura and Malka Architects is a concept for Delft University’s Architecture Faculty- a flying structure called AIRchitecture that’s already making our heads spin. The campus building concepts combines a static learning center for libraries, offices, lecture halls, and an auditorium, with flying workspaces and off-site “zeppelins” to allow for more dynamic collaboration and exchange. This concept might sound crazy, but it is certainly a great example of a minimal footprint.

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TRANSPORTATION TUESDAY: World Solar Competition

One of the toughest auto engineering competitions in the world, the World Solar Challenge Competition, has come and gone, and a winner has finally crossed the finishing line! Every two years, teams from all over the world come to Australia to travel across the country on a solar powered vehicle. This year’s winner was the team from Delft University, who have proven, once again that, not only is it possible to create a solar powered vehicle, but that you can cross a continent in it… all in sustainable style.