Mar 19 2007
Construction of the "Future House USA" began today in Beijing, China at the official construction opening ceremony. FIU is the only American university invited to take part in the "Future House Community Project" in Beijing, China, which will be located near the site of the 2008 Olympic Summer Games. Co-hosting the event in both English and Chinese was, Dr. Yong Xin Tao, professor at the College of Engineering and Computing at FIU, and Mr. Liao Honglei, Manager of International Department of Future House Real Estate, Ltd.
Distinguished guests and speakers included Mr. Lai Min, General Officer of S&T Department, Chinese Ministry of Construction, Mr. Xie Hongchang, Director of Information Center, Chinese Ministry of Construction, Mr. Lin Yu, President of Future House Real Estate, Ltd., Dr. Vish Prasad, Executive Dean at the College of Engineering and Computing at FIU, Mr. George Bialecki, President of Alternative Energy Living Foundation, Mr. Milton Copulos, President of the National Defense Council Foundation, Mr. Val Huston, Foreign Commercial Service Officer, from the U.S. Embassy in China and Dr. A. Douglas Kincaid, Vice Provost for International Studies at FIU.
Executive Dean Vish Prasad of FIU's College of Engineering and Computing spoke about environmental responsibility and the importance of working together on a problem that defies boundaries.
The "Future House Community" project was prompted by China's pressing energy and environmental concerns. It will include 10 houses from eight countries. Each country will design and build a house that reflects its own technological capabilities and aesthetic sensibilities. Others participating in the event are Germany, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Spain and Sweden. This project is part of China's concerted effort that shaped the 2008 Olympics as the so-called "Green Olympics."
The Ministry of Construction of the People's Republic of China sponsors the "Future House Community Project." The ministry invited FIU to participate after its team won first place in Energy Balance at the 2005 National Solar Decathlon in Washington, D.C. The competition requires student teams to design, build and operate a solar-powered house.
Dr. Yong Tao, professor of mechanical and materials engineering at FIU, and Dr. Yimin Zhu, professor of construction management, will direct both the design and construction of the Future House USA Project. The house will feature Frank Lloyd Wright and Chinese Feng Shui design themes, focusing on originality, unity with nature and the smooth flow of air and light. The U.S. team will incorporate a wide range of features from ultra-efficient geothermal heat pumps to passive and active solar systems. Despite the extensive use of advanced technologies, construction costs are consistent with those of homes that do not include such features.
To build Future House USA, FIU has teamed with the Alternative Energy Living Foundation in Moline, Illinois, as Principal Managing Sponsor; and the National Defense Council Foundation in Washington, D.C., as Principal General Sponsor. The introduction of "Future House" will be announced to the media, diplomatic leaders and international embassies at the kick off of the 2008 Olympic Games at China's Congress Hall located within the historical Tiananmen Square.