DALLAS, TEXAS -- Accoya® wood, the world’s leading high-technology wood, was used in the University of Florida’s Solar Decathlon Europe competition entry entitled Project RE:FOCUS. The team’s award-winning design utilized sustainable materials in the zero-energy house, combining a back-to-basics approach to energy conservation with the latest technological advances.
The home’s innovative design allows the homeowner to customize the home to individual preference. Strong architectural elements include a covered open porch with a breezeway oriented to the prevailing wind. Accoya wood is featured in the adjustable exterior screens, allowing the homeowner to control privacy or utilize natural daylight, thus reducing energy consumption.
“Accoya wood really fell in line with our sustainable goals for the house,” said Paige Mainor, design contributor, Project RE:FOCUS, the University of Florida. “From the beginning, our goal was to work with materials that take into consideration the overall size of the carbon footprint and Accoya wood fit nicely into that category”, added Mainor.
The modified Accoya wood is made from sustainably-grown sources and undergoes a non-toxic patented acetylation process to increase its dimensional stability and durability to beyond that of even the best tropical hardwoods. Accoya wood is suitable for demanding exterior applications including decking, windows, doors and siding. The shrink and swell cycle is reduced by more than 75%, resulting in coatings lasting three to five times longer than unmodified wood under normal circumstances. Highly durable, Accoya wood is warranted against rot and decay. The manufacturer, Accsys Technologies, warrants Accoya wood 50 years above-ground and 25 years in-ground or in fresh water immersion or saltwater spray applications, such as marina decking.
“Working with Accsys Technologies was a good experience and the donation was huge for us,” said Dereck Winning, student leader, Project RE:FOCUS, the University of Florida. “We chose Accoya wood due to its environmentally friendly process and because it performs similarly to hardwood,” said Winning.
The University of Florida team placed eighth out of 17 universities from around the world to build a self-sufficient solar home judged in 10 contests categories such as solar systems, innovation and sustainability. The team placed first in the Communications and Social Awareness contest that scored on public awareness and educating consumers about the project and key points.
Accsys Technologies supports innovative sustainable design initiatives. “We are very proud of the University of Florida team and their great accomplishments,” commented Lisa Ayala, sales manager, North America for Accsys Technologies. “The Project RE:FOCUS design is not only beautiful, but also an excellent example of how new technologies such as Accoya wood can contribute to an environmentally sound home,” Ayala added.
The Solar Decathlon is a biannual competition where universities around the world design and build self-sustaining structures. Founded by the U.S. Department of Energy, the competition aims to educate the public about renewable energy and technologies. The Solar Decathlon Europe 2010 competition took place in Madrid, Spain June 18 – 27. The University of Florida was one of two teams from the United States.
Accoya is available throughout North America through a network of independent distributors. For more information about Accoya wood visit www.accoya.com.
About Accsys Technologies:
Accsys Technologies is an environmental science and technology company that produces Accoya® wood (www.accoya.com), the world’s leading high technology wood made using a non-toxic patented process that effectively converts sustainably grown softwoods and non-durable hardwoods into a high performance wood that is beautiful, durable, stable and sustainable wood product. It has been recognized with many environmental certifications and awards including MBDC’s Cradle-to-Cradle Gold level. Accsys Technologies has offices in London, England, Arnhem the Netherlands and Dallas, Texas USA.
Source: Accsys Technologies
The home’s innovative design allows the homeowner to customize the home to individual preference. Strong architectural elements include a covered open porch with a breezeway oriented to the prevailing wind. Accoya wood is featured in the adjustable exterior screens, allowing the homeowner to control privacy or utilize natural daylight, thus reducing energy consumption.
“Accoya wood really fell in line with our sustainable goals for the house,” said Paige Mainor, design contributor, Project RE:FOCUS, the University of Florida. “From the beginning, our goal was to work with materials that take into consideration the overall size of the carbon footprint and Accoya wood fit nicely into that category”, added Mainor.
The modified Accoya wood is made from sustainably-grown sources and undergoes a non-toxic patented acetylation process to increase its dimensional stability and durability to beyond that of even the best tropical hardwoods. Accoya wood is suitable for demanding exterior applications including decking, windows, doors and siding. The shrink and swell cycle is reduced by more than 75%, resulting in coatings lasting three to five times longer than unmodified wood under normal circumstances. Highly durable, Accoya wood is warranted against rot and decay. The manufacturer, Accsys Technologies, warrants Accoya wood 50 years above-ground and 25 years in-ground or in fresh water immersion or saltwater spray applications, such as marina decking.
“Working with Accsys Technologies was a good experience and the donation was huge for us,” said Dereck Winning, student leader, Project RE:FOCUS, the University of Florida. “We chose Accoya wood due to its environmentally friendly process and because it performs similarly to hardwood,” said Winning.
The University of Florida team placed eighth out of 17 universities from around the world to build a self-sufficient solar home judged in 10 contests categories such as solar systems, innovation and sustainability. The team placed first in the Communications and Social Awareness contest that scored on public awareness and educating consumers about the project and key points.
Accsys Technologies supports innovative sustainable design initiatives. “We are very proud of the University of Florida team and their great accomplishments,” commented Lisa Ayala, sales manager, North America for Accsys Technologies. “The Project RE:FOCUS design is not only beautiful, but also an excellent example of how new technologies such as Accoya wood can contribute to an environmentally sound home,” Ayala added.
The Solar Decathlon is a biannual competition where universities around the world design and build self-sustaining structures. Founded by the U.S. Department of Energy, the competition aims to educate the public about renewable energy and technologies. The Solar Decathlon Europe 2010 competition took place in Madrid, Spain June 18 – 27. The University of Florida was one of two teams from the United States.
Accoya is available throughout North America through a network of independent distributors. For more information about Accoya wood visit www.accoya.com.
About Accsys Technologies:
Accsys Technologies is an environmental science and technology company that produces Accoya® wood (www.accoya.com), the world’s leading high technology wood made using a non-toxic patented process that effectively converts sustainably grown softwoods and non-durable hardwoods into a high performance wood that is beautiful, durable, stable and sustainable wood product. It has been recognized with many environmental certifications and awards including MBDC’s Cradle-to-Cradle Gold level. Accsys Technologies has offices in London, England, Arnhem the Netherlands and Dallas, Texas USA.
Source: Accsys Technologies
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