Photo by Bob Phelan, Missouri S&T. Originally published on architectmagazine.com.

The local community is invited to attend a send-off reception for Missouri University of Science and Technology’s Solar House Design Team. During the event, visitors can tour the latest solar house, learn about its advanced technology from team members and help send the team off to California for the 2015 Solar Decathlon.

The event will be held 4-7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 12, at the construction site located along West 10th Street, between Missouri S&T’s Allgood-Bailey Stadium and Innovation Park, near Phelps County Regional Medical Center. The event will begin with remarks by team members and Missouri S&T Chancellor Cheryl B. Schrader. Refreshments will be served.

The Solar House Design Team will compete at the U.S. Department of Energy’s 2015 Solar Decathlon Oct. 8-18 in Irvine, California. This is the sixth time Missouri S&T has qualified for the event, more than any other team in the competition.

Named “Nest House” after the practice of birds to build homes from natural materials, Missouri S&T’s 2015 entry is formed from three repurposed shipping containers and its siding is made from shipping pallet lumber. It is designed for a growing family and features two bedrooms, a home automation system and a charging station for an electric car.

For more information about the event, email cc33f@mst.edu or visit the team’s Facebook page at facebook.com/MSTSolarHouse.