Whirlpool Corporation, the world’s leading major home appliance company, has partnered with La Sapienza University of Rome to showcase the best full-scale prototype of the house of the future. The house is green, smart and completely powered by solar energy at the first Solar Decathlon Middle East (SDME) 2018 held in Dubai.
Aligned with the vision of the UAE to provide 75% of its total power output from clean energy by 2050 and live more sustainably, a total of 15 teams representing 28 universities from 11 countries are currently showcasing their ideas at the event organized by Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) in partnership with the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy and the US Department of Energy. The total prizes for the 1st and 2nd completions exceed AED20 million.
Whirlpool Corporation has been intrinsically involved with the team from Sapienza University of Rome since the outset, enhancing their solar home through appliances that are innovative and energy friendly. Team Sapienza’s Smart Solar House, made entirely of wood, has been built in Italy, keeping in mind the environmental conditions of the competition site in Dubai.
The house has undergone tests to ensure complete functionality and energy efficiency which will be evaluated by an international jury in Dubai. Through a revolutionary approach, the project by Sapienza University has applied and tested the most advanced tools, materials and technologies currently available in the construction industry. The sustainable house is able to respond to the heavy demand of efficiency, comfort, safety and affordability standards of 21st century architecture.
Talking about the initiative, Mr. Karim Bruneo, Corporate Responsibility and Government Relations Manager, EMEA, said “Whirlpool Corporation has had a long-standing strategic belief and commitment towards environmental protection and sustainability across the markets in which we operate. We are passionate about innovative ideas from young minds which will shape our future. In the Middle East, the UAE is leading the transition to a new energy order and we believe the design that Whirlpool is associated with reflects this vision for the region. The students from Sapienza University of Rome have shown immense creativity and potential while developing their prototype of the Smart Solar House, and are truly deserving of the support they have received. We hope this initiative serves as an inspiration to change makers across the world.”
Team Sapienza’s fully functioning prototype featuring Whirlpool’s latest innovation for kitchen and laundry, besides being equipped with KitchenAid accessories and small domestic appliances is open to visitors from November 14-29 at Mohamad bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park, Dubai for a series of visits and immersive tours that will allow visitors to explore and discover the first prototype of the house of the future. This house is currently fully furnished and completely functional in both mechanical systems (air conditioning, hot water), and equipment and appliances (TV, dishwasher, washing machine, refrigerator and stove) reproducing the normal operation of a residence house and monitoring its performance and consumption. During the competition, each team will hold several dinners inside the house, hosting the competing teams and cooking fresh food.
Team Sapienza SDME project “ReStart4Smart”, aims to show, with the support of sponsors and patronage of excellence, the most advanced technologies in the design and construction of a sustainable house able to meet the demands of efficiency, functionality, comfort and affordability characteristic of the 21st century architecture: a smart, sustainable and totally autonomous house, that will focus on “shape, envelope, systems and people”. The participating teams will take part in 10 contests: architecture; engineering and building; energy management; energy efficiency; comfort conditions; house functioning; sustainable transport; sustainability; communications, and innovation.