If sustainability principles will guide us to a better future, then nowhere do these principles need more urgent application than within the resource-consuming engineering and architectural fields. Since the summer of 2003, under the
guidance of Prof. Thomas Spiegelhalter, the undergraduate and graduate
students of the University of Southern California School of Architecture have undertaken the challenge to design, simulate, engineer, and build an experimental, solar-powered building, in collaboration with Building Science Faculty and off-campus professionals and manufacturers.

The Solar-Zero-Fossil-Energy-Building-Development challenges students to conduct cutting-edge research in performative design, building technology and renewable energy systems in a "learning by doing" development model. The USC team will realize together with project sponsors a two-story solar building, which will be showcased as a demonstration and exhibition facility in the USC
neighborhood adjacent to the campus.