# Adaptable Eco Exteriors The Virginia Tech 'Lumenhaus' Features an Exterior that Adjusts to Weather By Katie Cordrey | Published 2010-07-05 | Eco Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/virginia-tech-lumenhaus References: [opinionator.blogs.nytimes](http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/09/09/this-new-house/) & [jillako](http://www.jillako.com/2010/06/lumenhaus-i-want-one-now.html) Virginia Tech's Lumenhaus took the prize in the 2010 Solar Decathlon Design Competition. The design packs style and [energy efficiency](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-wanda) into an 800 square foot floor plan. An adaptable exterior wall adjusts automatically in response to weather conditions--this was the object of much attention at the competition. Seventeen homes were entered into the 2010 European Solar Decathlon. Coming out at number one was a double-win for Virginia Tech's Lumenhaus, as the win broke a three-year streak held by [German teams](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/house-anton-ii). ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 5.5/10 - Popularity: 63% | Activity: 94% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Eco](https://www.trendhunter.com/eco) > [Eco Architecture](https://www.trendhunter.com/ecoarchitecture) ## Key Themes ### Why This Trend Is Growing - **Adaptable Exteriors:** Incorporating responsive design elements in exteriors will create sustainable and energy-efficient architecture. - **Weather-responsive Architecture:** Using smart materials and technology to create adaptable architecture that can respond to various weather conditions in real-time will be useful in creating resilient and adaptable structures. - **Sustainable Design:** The use of sustainable building materials, energy-efficient systems, and smart technologies in architectural design will be crucial in creating sustainable infrastructure for the future. ### Industries Being Reshaped - **Architecture and Design:** Architects and designers can incorporate adaptable exterior design elements and smarter materials to create more resilient and energy-efficient structures. - **Smart Technology:** Innovating smarter materials that can respond to various weather conditions in real-time will be useful in creating more energy-efficient and sustainable structures. - **Green Building Industry:** The development of sustainable building materials and off-grid energy systems will be important in ensuring the longevity of our built environment and reducing our carbon footprint. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Solar Powered Compact Homes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/e55000.md) - [Shape‑shifting Retreats](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/modular-offgrid-house.md) - [Shutter-Accented Tiny Homes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/houzeko-tiny-house.md) - [Climate-Responsive Prefab Homes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/drop-pod.md) - [Chic Curved Houses](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/curved-house1.md) - [Self-Designed Evolving Homes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/six-columns.md) - [Origami-Style Shelled Residences](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/copper-bottom.md) - [Moving Wall-Integrated Renovated Homes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/blooming-shed.md) - [Contemporary Weatherized Homes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/acute-house.md)