Trojan Goat: A Self-Sufficent House

by John D. Quale, Kenneth Frampton (Introduction)

The first volume in the Urgent Matters series, "Trojan Goat: A Self-Sufficient House "traces thedesign and construction of the University of Virginia's whimsically named, award-winning entry in the 2002 U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon. John D.Quale, the architectural advisor and coordinator for the project, provides here afirsthand account of the creation of the 750 square-foot solar-poweredhouse.

Aiming to make the remarkable achievements of the projectbetter known, while highlighting potential future applications for the practice ofarchitecture, Trojan Goat provides an exciting moment-to-moment documentary of themaking of this environmentally friendly house. Designed and built by a team ofstudents and faculty from the School of Architecture and the School of Engineeringand Applied Science, the house combines the use of sustainable materials withthoughtful design and technological innovation.

According to thereceived statistics, building use accounts for one-half of the total energy burnteach year in the United States, a greater amount by far than that consumed per annumby automobiles. Quale argues that, based on statistics such as these and thepositive reception of Trojan Goat, there should be greater support for sustainablebuilding practices in the United States, including an increase in design-buildopportunities for students of architecture.

72 pages, Paperback

First published October 31, 2005