Helping Virginia Tech create the home of the future.

We're proud to have supported the Virginia Tech team in its champion finish at the Solar Decathlon in Dubai. The team beat out 27 other universities and 15 teams from 11 countries.

Teams were challenged to build a prototype of a house that ran exclusively on solar power, could function in the extreme climate conditions of the Middle East and could be mass produced in similar communities throughout the world.

"The basic premise of FutureHAUS – utilizing factory-built cartridges to create living spaces that adapt to their inhabitants – represents a fundamental paradigm shift in how we will think about the kitchen and bath going forward," said John Teubert, Director – Advanced Materials and Processes Development, Kitchen & Bath.  "The opportunity for Kohler, and ultimately our customers, is to build on the relationship we've established with Virginia Tech to inspire future product designs that fully achieve this potential."

The interdisciplinary faculty-student team from Virginia Tech worked on its house for the last two years, with assistance from Kohler as both a sponsor and consultant on the project. We supplied design and technology support as well as fixtures for the kitchen and bathroom in the modular, prefabricated home. Kohler also consulted on the 3-D printed adjustable sinks, which use KOHLER® Response Technology, as well as DTV® showering systems and smart features.

"The Virginia Tech team's passion, dedication and energy has been great fun to watch and be part of over the past two years," said Teubert. "Their win was certainly well-deserved."