What do you get when you challenge students to lead California to an energy resilient future using state-of-the-art technology and sustainable building design?
This fall, Rancho Cielo students will compete in the first Orange County Sustainability Decathlon (OCSD), a collegiate competition focused on bringing the best ideas in sustainable housing design to life. As the only high school and occupational school, Rancho Cielo’s Construction Academy joins an elite group of 18 top architecture and engineering schools participating — many from University of California and California State University schools, others from around the world.
Their challenge: design and build net-zero model homes that demonstrate a smart solution to California’s growing housing needs and mitigate climate change. The teams will assemble and display their houses in a sustainable village at the OCSD and are evaluated in 10 contests worth 100 points each. The team with the highest score wins.
The competition provides a noteworthy opportunity for Rancho Cielo students to showcase their ingenuity on a major stage. The home is aptly named Nexus 01 to honor the impressive collaboration between Rancho Cielo and the myriad of industry experts and business partners who generously donated their time, talent and resources to its success.
