On Tuesday, August 9, Middlebury’s Solar Decathlon team officially welcomed visitors to tour the nearly finished home before it’s disassembled and trucked to Washington for the start of the U.S. Department of Energy competition on September 23.

For more than two hours on a slightly cloudy afternoon, a swarm of curious folks crowded the small but beautifully efficient dwelling, and everyone walked away with a smile. “It’s exactly the kind of house I’ve always wanted,” said one woman, as she scanned the central space that includes the kitchen, dining area, living room and workspace. Another young couple paused as they were leaving to ask one of the team members, clad in their signature yellow t-shirts, if they could come back and move in tomorrow.

Take a look at the following photos for a glimpse of what this group hopes will set the standard for many homes to come. And stay tuned to their web site for more news and updates!

Deck entrance

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