NEWS/EVENTS

UC Staff who inspired in 2023

UCnetwork
University of California
January 9, 2024

We asked UC staff to share your biggest accomplishments from 2023 and you came through! Congratulations to all our colleagues who met and exceeded their personal and professional goals this year — your efforts, dedication and passion make UC an amazing place to work.

Please take a moment to explore your colleagues’ stories, below, as inspiration for what we may achieve in the new year. Read More

The e+ Equation-Monthly Newsletter

UCI Samueli School of Engineering
January 2024

The official holiday card of the UCI Samueli School of Engineering is featured on top of the January 2024 issue of the Samueli School of Engineering monthly newsletter to welcome the year 2024. Read More

UCI Samueli School of Engineering- Cheers to New Beginnings

UCI Samueli School of Engineering
December 2023

The official holiday card of the UCI Samueli School of Engineering features pictures of teamMADE members in front of their luminOCity house during the OC Sustainability Decathlon with a hopeful message to welcome the year 2024. Open the Card

UCI News – 2023 Year in Review – First in Class

UC Irvine News
December 2023

The university takes great pride in educating a diverse student population and providing them with a world-class educational experience that serves as the foundation for them to become future leaders in industries and communities.

UCI strives to enhance the student experience by evaluating programs, policies and practices. By building off past work, the university granted a combined 11,353 bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees in 2023, marking the third consecutive year that UCI has conferred at least 11,000 degrees.

Here are some examples of the university’s efforts to make UCI a top choice for students of all backgrounds. Read more

OCSD Event Highlights

OCSD Flickr page
December 18, 2023

Relive the unforgettable moments of the Orange County Sustainability Decathlon by exploring some selections from our Flickr page! These images beautifully encapsulate the essence of the OCSD experience, showcasing the innovation, passion, and dedication the participating teams displayed. Click below to view our event photos on Flickr. We invite you to share in the excitement and celebrate the achievements of these incredible teams as they pave the way for a more sustainable future. OCSD Flickr

UCI Samueli School of Engineering 2023 Notable Dozen

UCI Samueli School of Engineering
December 13, 2023

Check out a dozen of our many 2023 accomplishments! PDF Flyer and News Story

Sustainable Housing for the Homeless

News for Neighbors
University of California, Irvine
December 2023

UCI, in collaboration with Orange Coast College, earned top building awards at this year’s OC Sustainability Decathlon. The two schools’ energy-efficient, scalable and affordable houses could help ease homelessness in Southern California through community partnerships. Read more

The e+ Equation-Monthly Newsletter

UCI Samueli School of Engineering
November 2023

Educational Journeys
Students design innovative modular homes for the homeless
An image of rebirth inspired students from UC Irvine and Orange Coast College as they designed and built a home named LuminOCity to enter into the Orange County Sustainability Decathlon. Read more

teamMADE – Monthly Newsletter – October/November 2023

teamMADE
October/November 2023

Keep up with our team as we design, engineer, and build our house to compete in the OC Sustainability Decathlon from October 5-15, 2023 at the OC Fair in Costa Mesa, CA. Each issue of our monthly newsletter covers the status of our design and construction phases, informs you about milestone events, and spotlights our fanstastic partners.

Our October/November issue is proudly sponsored by Edison International.
The first ever OC Sustainability Decathlon has drawn to a close, marking the culmination of nearly two years of dedicated work on the luminOCity project. In a resounding triumph, teamMADE secured a notable 2nd place overall, surpassing 13 other teams and ranking high in important categories like Engineering & Construction, Market Potential, Energy Efficiency, and Sustainability & Resilience. Learn more about our success at the decathlon and follow luminOCity’s journey. Read more

Orange County Sustainability Decathlon – UC Irvine

UC Irvine News-YouTube
November 20, 2023

Students present new ideas ofr energy efficient and affordable homes. Check out the video here.

Building homes for a sustainable world

UC Irvine student engineer team earns praise for innovation at the Sustainability Decathlon

UC Irvine News
By Natalie Tso
November 20, 2023

An image of rebirth inspired students from UC Irvine and Orange Coast College to design and build a home named LuminOCity to enter into the Orange County Sustainability Decathlon last month. The house received second place overall, among many other awards, including first place in market potential and engineering and construction. Read more

O.C. Sustainability Decathlon provides a sneak peek at a zero-net future, created by youth

Los Angeles Times
By Sara Cardine
October 21, 2023

In the world of college coursework, designing and building a modular house that can accommodate an entire family without creating any carbon emissions sounds like a steep ask.

But that’s exactly what one team of students from Orange Coast College and UC Irvine have been doing, side by side, for the past year and a half.

The stylish, solar-powered result of that collaboration, called “luminOCity home,” was on full display at the Orange County Sustainability Decathlon at the county fairgrounds in Costa Mesa earlier this month. Read more

Students Design Innovative Modular Homes for the Homeless

UCI Samueli School of Engineering News
October 20, 2023

An image of rebirth inspired students from UC Irvine and Orange Coast College (OCC) as they designed and built a home named luminOCity to enter into the Orange County Sustainability Decathlon where it won second place, among many other awards, including first place in market potential and engineering and construction. They plan to donate the home to homeless youth. Read more

UC Irvine Team Ranked High in Orange County Sustainability Decathlon Results

UC Irvine News
October 17, 2023

teamMADE, a sustainable home design and construction crew with student members from the University of California, Irvine and Orange Coast College, placed second overall in the Orange County Sustainability Decathlon, which was held Oct. 5-15 at the Orange County Fairgrounds in Costa Mesa.

Edged out slightly by the first place-winning Rancho Cielo Construction Academy, based in Salinas, Calif., TeamMADE (Modular Affordable Dwellings for the Environment) had its name show up in several of the award categories, including first place in engineering & construction; first place in market potential; second place in sustainability & resilience; third place in architecture & interior design; third place in communications & marketing; and third place in innovation. Read more

Nearly 5,000 Students attend OCSD Education Day

OCSD YouTube
October 10, 2023

Join us on an unforgettable journey as we take you inside the Orange County Sustainability Decathlon’s Education Day, which took place October 6, 2023. We’re bringing you exclusive footage of nearly 5,000 enthusiastic K-12 students exploring the future of sustainable living. Watch as they engage with cutting-edge innovations, eco-friendly technologies, and passionate experts, all in the name of a greener, more sustainable world. Get ready to be inspired by the next generation’s commitment to environmental stewardship and their boundless curiosity for a better, brighter future! Watch the video

SCE Backs College Teams Vying to be Sustainability Decathlon Champion

Edison International, SoCal Edison, Energized
October 5, 2023

Fourteen colleges worldwide compete in Orange County to build the most sustainable, energy-efficient homes. There are no bands, cheerleaders or fight songs, but this college championship may be the most important contest this fall.

Fourteen teams from colleges as far away as China are competing this month in the first Orange County Sustainability Decathlon. The competition was designed to inspire students to build the most sustainable, ultra-efficient homes to meet California’s goal of 100% renewable energy by 2045. Read more

OC SUSTAINABILITY DECATHLON OPENS ON OCTOBER 5, 2023

teamMADE is counting down the days until the opening ceremony of the OC Sustainability Decathlon on Thursday, October 5th at 1:00 pm at the OC Fairgrounds. This is what our team has been working towards for two years!

You were part of our team’s journey so come out and tour teamMADE’s luminOCity house! We would love to show you how far we’ve come and how we incorporated all the fantastic product our partners donated to us!

Check out the public schedule with times when our luminOCity house and the houses of 11 other schools are open for you and come to cheer us on at the award ceremonies. Click here for schedule

Tour Green Village as Student Homebuilders Compete in Sustainability Decathlon 

Orange County Register
September 27, 2023

Free 8-day event Orange County Fairgrounds includes a job fair, documentaries, speakers, and more. It’s aimed at centering this area as a capital of sustainability.  Read more

teamMADE – Monthly Newsletter – September 2023

teamMADE
September 2023

Keep up with our team as we design, engineer, and build our house to compete in the OC Sustainability Decathlon from October 5-15, 2023 at the OC Fair in Costa Mesa, CA. Each issue of our monthly newsletter covers the status of our design and construction phases, informs you about milestone events, and spotlights our fanstastic partners.

Our September issue is proudly sponsored by Panasonic.
In this issue we announce the name for our house: luminOCity and why we chose that name, see pictures of continuing construction as we count down the days to the competition, learn how to plant a native garden, try our recipe for energy efficiency, see pictures of our Hello, Team! partner event, and check out our Special Partner Spotlight on Arktura. Read more

teamMADE – Monthly Newsletter – August 2023

teamMADE
August 2023

Keep up with our team as we design, engineer, and build our house to compete in the OC Sustainability Decathlon from October 5-15, 2023 at the OC Fair in Costa Mesa, CA. Each issue of our monthly newsletter covers the status of our design and construction phases, informs you about milestone events, and spotlights our fanstastic partners.

Our August issue is proudly sponsored by Arktura.
In this issue, see pictures of continuing construction, learn more about PHIUS and other important standards, read about innovative systems in our house, check out our Special Partner Spotlight on FH Home, and see who already moved in! Read more

teamMADE – Monthly Newsletter – July 2023

teamMADE
July 2023

Keep up with our team as we design, engineer, and build our house to compete in the OC Sustainability Decathlon from October 5-15, 2023 at the OC Fair in Costa Mesa, CA. Each issue of our monthly newsletter covers the status of our design and construction phases, informs you about milestone events, and spotlights our fanstastic partners.

Our July issue is proudly sponsored by Gouvis Engineering.
In this issue, see pictures of the start of construction, learn more about how the design of our house incorporates sustainability, resilience, and well-being, check out our Special Partner Spotlight on Daltile, and quiz yourself on recognizing if plants are native or non-native to California. Read more

teamMADE – Monthly Newsletter – June 2023

teamMADE
June 2023

Keep up with our team as we design, engineer, and build our house to compete in the OC Sustainability Decathlon from October 5-15, 2023 at the OC Fair in Costa Mesa, CA. Each issue of our monthly newsletter covers the status of our design and construction phases, informs you about milestone events, and spotlights our fanstastic partners.

Our June issue is proudly sponsored by Tree of Life Nursery.
In this issue, learn more about how electric bikes revolutionize the way we move, check out our Special Partner Spotlight on Tree of Life Nursery, see the outcome of teamMADE’s successful participation in the UCI Stella Zhang New Venture Competition, and learn about the important OSHA Safety training and certification as we enter the construction phase of our project. Read more

UCI Paul Merage School of Business Announces SZ New Venture Competition Finalists

UCI Merage School of Business
May 15, 2023

The Merage School’s Beall Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship is pleased to present the teams competing in the Grand Finale of the 2023 Stella Zhang New Venture Competition.

Final teams will be presenting their business pitches to a panel of experienced judges with hopes to win part of $100,000 in total prizes to launch their idea into reality. The Grand Finale will take place on May 25, 2023. Read more

Register here

teamMADE – Monthly Newsletter – May 2023

teamMADE
May 2023

Keep up with our team as we design, engineer, and build our house to compete in the OC Sustainability Decathlon from October 5-15, 2023 at the OC Fair in Costa Mesa, CA. Each issue of our monthly newsletter covers the status of our design and construction phases, informs you about milestone events, and spotlights our fanstastic partners.

Our May issue is proudly sponsored by DalTile.
In this issue, learn more about how ADUs can help with California’s housing crisis, check out our Special Partner Spotlight on Danielian Associates, learn more about the 10 competition categories of the OC Sustainability Decathlon, and cheer us on as teamMADE competes in the UCI Stella Zhang New Venture Competition. Read more

UCI Business School Announces Stella Zhang New Venture Competition Semi-Finalists

UCI Paul Merage School of Business
April 17, 2023

The Merage School’s Beall Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship is pleased to present the teams competing in the semi-final round of the 2023 Stella Zhang New Venture Competition. These teams will present their business pitches with the hopes of being one of ten teams selected to compete at the SZNVC Grand Finale pitch event. The semi-finals will take place on May 12, 2023. Read more

Stella Zhang New Venture Competition Website

teamMADE – Monthly Newsletter – April 2023

teamMADE Inaugural Newsletter

teamMADE
April 2023

Keep up with our team as we design, engineer, and build our house to compete in the OC Sustainability Decathlon from October 5-15, 2023 at the OC Fair in Costa Mesa, CA. Each issue of our monthly newsletter will cover the status of our design and construction phases, will inform you about milestone events, and spotlight our fanstastic partners.

Our April issue is proudly sponsored by Danielian Associates.
Learn more about our team, how we use FrameCAD as an innovative tool to build sustainable and affordable houses, and our client Homeless Intervention Services-OC (HIS-OC). Read more

OCC, UCI collaborate for OC Sustainability Decathlon

Coast Report, The Student Voice of Orange Coast College
March 27, 2023

Orange Coast College and the UC Irvine are partnering together to design and build a sustainable home in the Orange County Sustainability Decathlon 2023 in early June 2023.

The OCSD23 is a competition challenging multidisciplinary teams across the world to design and build eco-friendly homes.

Officials will evaluate each house in 10 different categories, such as Sustainability and Resilience, Architecture and Interior Design, Engineering and Construction, Communication and Marketing, Innovation, Energy Efficiency, Water Use and Conservation, Health and Comfort, Lighting and Appliances, and Market Potential. Read more

PBS Program “OC World” Shines Spotlight on Orange County Sustainability Decathlon

PBS, OC World
January 24, 2023

“OC World,” the public affairs program on L.A. PBS affiliate KLCS, recently devoted an entire episode to the Orange County Sustainability Decathlon. The episode featured interviews with several prominent figures, including State Sen. Dave Min, Cal State Fullerton College of Engineering Dean Susan Barua, and Orange County Sustainability Decathlon President Fred Smoller.

Two UCI teams to participate in Orange County Sustainability Decathlon 2023

Competition challenges engineers to design and build net-zero carbon energy buildings

UC Irvine News
July 6, 2022

Two engineering groups from the University of California, Irvine – one in partnership with Orange Coast Community College and one from the UCI Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering – are among the 18 teams chosen to enter the Orange County Sustainability Decathlon 2023.

The OCSD23 is a collegiate competition that challenges multidisciplinary teams from architecture and engineering schools to design, build and display innovative, net-zero energy buildings with sustainable materials and state-of-the-art technology. Teams have 17 months to produce their homes, which will then be showcased at the OC Fairgrounds in October of 2023. The houses will be judged in 10 categories related to sustainability, design, efficiency, comfort and communications/marketing. Read more

Here are the colleges that will compete to make OC ‘world’s sustainability capital’

Sustainability Decathlon founders want Orange County to be synonymous with beautiful, functional, affordable, environmentally groundbreaking building innovations

Orange County Register
May 23, 2022

Orange County was famous for ranching and agriculture, for Disneyland and John Wayne, for aerospace and vast tracts of safe, cookie-cutter housing.

That was yesterday. The organizers of the first Orange County Sustainability Decathlon want to forge a new tomorrow for the O.C., making it synonymous with beautiful, functional, affordable, environmentally groundbreaking building innovations that are fire and drought-resistant, leave no carbon footprint and aim to do no less than help save the planet. Read more

OCSD Announces 2023 Participants

18 Teams From Across the Globe Have 17 Months to Design and Build Innovative, Net-Zero Homes of the Future as Part of a Major Collegiate Competition

Orange County Sustainability Decathlon Press Release
May 23, 2022

Organizers of the Orange County Sustainability Decathlon (OCSD) announced today that they selected 18 teams to take part in its inaugural groundbreaking event.

Eleven of the participating teams represent California institutions, including University of California schools, California State University institutions, a community college, and a vocational school. Read more