The dust hadn't yet begun to settle from the Department of Energy Solar Decathlon 2007, and Amy Gardner, LEAFHouse architecture faculty advisor, was hoping to return to her old routine. One of the things that could no longer be ignored (besides a good night sleep) was her e-mail, which was reaching capacity. Soon she realized why.

Among the well wishes of a job well done- the team placed second in the competition- were a multitude of e-mails from businesses, architects, hotels and homeowners writing to find out how they could get their hands on the indoor liquid desiccant waterfall (LDW), a prominent eco-feature in LEAFHouses design.

“There was an explosion of interest in the LDW, from the most far-flung and varied of audiences imaginable,” says Gardner. “All were eager to buy, steal, borrow, or design and build their own, if they could just get their hands on more information.”Now a group of engineering and architecture students and advisors from the UMD Solar Decathlon 2007 team are pursuing a patent for a prototype cooling system that cuts the humidity in the house by over half, saves energy, and in the right climate, can eliminate the need for an air conditioner all together.

The Liquid Desiccant Waterfall (LDW), seen in Maryland’s 2007 entry, LEAFHouse. The LDW sits into the wall, similar to a fireplace.  The system is a desiccant de-humidifier; its function is to help cool the house by lowering humidity. Unlike traditional dehumidifiers that condense moisture in the air, a desiccant system actually absorbs the air's moisture, pulling it into the liquid desiccant and then, by heating the liquid, diverts the moisture out of the system, re-concentrating the desiccant to cycle back again into the house.

This type of system isn't new; it is used often in commercial installations in either a solid or liquid form to combat moisture and corrosion as well as regulate humidity. What makes team Marylands system unique is its modified form and function; small enough to use residentially, and in its waterfall delivery, a stylish architectural element.

“Because the space in the house was so small, we were trying to find a way to highlight the system, not just make it useful,” explains Brittany Williams, who was the architecture project team leader on the project. “That's where the waterfall design comes into play.” 

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The School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation at the University of Maryland is home to four academic disciplines: architecture, urban planning, historic preservation and real estate development. Committed to educating its students and community about the importance of sustainability and smart growth, the School practices an interdisciplinary approach to education, research, creative work, and community and professional service. For more information, please e-mail us or call 301.405.8000.

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