The Unit 6 Undergoes First Phase of Construction

Our net zero solar house, the Unit 6, is taller than it used to be--currently about 6 inches in height. Members of Team Tidewater began pouring concrete for the foundation blocks of the house on Friday, marking the first traces of its physical existence.

Shoveling cement into the boxed-in wood, the students and faculty advisors together made about 60 blocks.

Some had a little construction experience; others had none. Whatever the case, team members of all specialties pitched in and got dirty, shoveling, packing, and scraping cement. 

The cement will take about a month to fully set, after which, the team will assemble and finish the modules of the Unit 6 in April. 

It's current site is 48th Street and Powhatan Avenue on Old Dominion University's campus; however the team is trying to move to a site on Hampton Blvd, which many in Norfolk know is a four-lane and often busy road running through ODU's campus. If successful, the move would allow more passing commuters to see the Unit 6 during its construction. Whatever the case, the house will live on one of these two sites until it is disassembled and transported up to Washington D.C. in August.

Check out our Facebook page HERE to see more pictures from the day!