On July 12, the Italian project "RhOME for denCity" was proclaimed the winner of the Solar Decathlon Europe 2014.

Solar Decathlon started in the USA in 2002, as an award-winning competition in which universities from all over the world meet to build and operate full-scale and self-sufficient solar powered buildings. Since 2010 a parallel contest is held every two years in Europe. The 2014 edition was hosted at "La Cité du Soleil" in Versailles, France.

The 20 participating projects were evaluated by a jury of experts over 10 specific contests. The Italian team from Università di Roma TRE, headed by the architect Chiara Tonelli, obtained the highest score for its project "RhOME for denCity", based on the concept of the 5R: Reduce, Reuse, Relationship, Rapidity, Regeneration. The project aims to redevelop the slums, through the construction of low cost and high-performance social housing to create the future sustainable districts.

Along with the overall award, the team was also awarded the following sectoral awards:
- Second place in Social Housing (CECODHAS prize-extra contest competition)
- First place in Social Housing for new constructions (CECODHAS prize - extra contest competition)
- First place in Lighting Design (extra contest competition)
- Second place in Architecture
- Fourth place in Energy Efficiency
- Fourth place in Sustainability
- First place in the House Functioning
- Second place in the Comfort Conditions
- Third place in Innovation

For more information please visit the project website.