In 2013 Team UOW left the shores of Wollongong to compete in the Solar Decathlon China, hosted by the city of Datong. Dubbed ... the Energy Olympics, this international competition was founded by the United States Department of Energy and challenges University teams to design and build a net-zero energy house. Team UOW were the first Australian team to enter and their Illawarra Flame House went on to win China’s first ever Solar Decathlon competition. Team UOW also set the record for the highest point score in the history of the Solar Decathlon. Today this record still stands following 12 Solar Decathlons hosted in China, Europe, the USA and South America with over 200 teams competing from 40 different countries. Following this success students from the University of Wollongong and TAFE NSW have joined with the University of Wollongong in Dubai to form our new Team UOW and compete in the Solar Decathlon Middle East 2018 competition. Our key project premise for Solar Decathlon Middle East is that, like Australia, many parts of the world are currently experiencing the effects of an ageing population due to higher life expectancy and a declining fertility rate. This challenges economic, health and housing services. We have taken up this significant challenge by choosing to design a house that will address these stresses, providing an affordable and sustainable house that encompasses the needs of older people as they continue to age. Our house, named Desert Rose after an iconic flower that flourishes in challenging environments, celebrates the life of its occupants regardless of their physical capabilities, from the very active and capable through to those experiencing aged-related disabilities such as early stage dementia. We will inspire building industries across the globe by demonstrating that it is possible to construct houses that are stylish, affordable, comfortable, and sustainable whilst encompassing the changing needs of an ageing population. read more