Solar Decathlon Prototypes and their Use as Post-Competition Living Labs in Higher Education
Abstract
Solar Decathlon competitions offer to participating universities a unique opportunity for introducing into higher education a learning by building approach, with students as important drivers of the whole process. Making Solar Decathlon projects available for an intense after-competition use in the field of teaching and research multiplies their impact in the field of research and education. Within Annex 74: Competitions and Living Labs (IEA EBC) 22 living lab projects have been analysed, resulting in a detailed description of their contribution in the fields of new educational methodologies and educational materials, impact on HE curricula and campus as well as the generation of educational networks. Challenges have been identified regarding organization and management, integration into the established academic settings, or sustainability of projects over time, which need to be addressed to integrate more widely living labs as educational tools in higher education.