Eighteen colleges and universities from across the country (and Canada) were charged with designing, building, and operating a solar-powered home to showcase innovative technologies and approaches to sustainable design. The houses were to be transported from each school and constructed on site at the National Mall in Washington, DC and judged in ten areas of performance, including energy efficiency, affordability, and consumer appeal. Virginia Tech took first place in the Architecture and Dwelling Categories, and fourth place overall. http://www.solardecathlon.gov/past/2005/team_virginia_tech.html