History

SolarSpace originated as a solution to the acquisition of unused solar panels in the Fall of 2019.

The original spark of inspiration came from when a Resource Conservation Group member recalled a solar-powered parklet in Providence, Rhode Island that served as a community space.

The group decided to build a similar structure on campus to serve as a hangout space and a demonstration of renewable energy. Inspired and driven, the Resource Conservation applied for the Sustainability Grant, the Stewards Impact Award, and the CNR Enrichment Fund. The group was awarded more than $28,000 in the Spring of 2020.

Meetings with the University Landscape Architect and other contacts within Facilities led to the sustainable decision to use an existing trellis for the project rather than build a new, freestanding structure. This important decision and the generous donation of labor from several teams within Facilities made it feasible to build SolarSpace to the scale the team had imagined.

Once the site of the project was decided, the Resource Conservation Group decided to engage another part of the NC State community—the School of Architecture. In the Fall of 2020, after meetings with the American Institute of Architecture Students (AIAS) club, David Hill, and Tom Skolnicki, among others, a student design competition was created. Open to all architecture and landscape architecture students, the competition was held over the extended winter break, allowing students time to create amazing designs. In February of 2021, a panel of judges were assembled, which included students, staff, and alumni of the architecture program. A winning design was selected, along with a second place winner and two honorable mentions.

The beautiful winning design was created by Dong-Jae Yi, a Ph.D. student in the College Design. In collaboration with Dong-Jae, Lynn Swank, Tom Skolnicki, and other important members within Facilities, the design was refined and technical 3D models were made, allowing the design to be executed.

Construction began in April of 2021, and with the hard work and dedication of the Wood Shop, Metal Shop, Electrical team, and others, SolarSpace came to life in a matter of just four months!