Challege For the Architecture Contest of the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon 2011. Parsons the New School for Design and Stevens Institute of Technology are developing a solar-powered house for the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon in partnership with Habitat for Humanity of Washington, D.C., and the D.C. Department of Housing and Community Development. The house minimizes energy demand by optimizing the building envelope, using a highly efficient micro-mechanical system, and incorporating strategic lighting and daylighting. (solardecathlon.gov/past/2011/team_parsons_stevens.html)