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The team assembled DPD’s envelope last August (“sort of a practice run”) and prefabricated the interior (stairs, walls, etc.), before disassembling and shipping it all to China. Navab, Gareau and Jemtrud know a bigger challenge awaits them there, when TeamMTL will bring all aspects of the house together for the first time.
The team’s efforts were made possible thanks to generous backing from Hydro-Québec. With the support of the Quebec Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources, the public utility donated $250,000.
“We want to lead the energy transition and help our customers choose the right technology,” said Éric Filion, president of Hydro-Québec Distribution, at the time of the funding announcement.
“By supporting TeamMTL’s innovative project, Hydro-Québec demonstrates its ongoing commitment as a central player in technologies that will make our houses even smarter and help us meet our customers’ needs into the future.”
Jemtrud adds that the support from the electricity giant was indispensable for the team’s project.
“It’s not just the money; it’s also the mentorship we received that had a huge impact. Whenever I had questions, I knew whom to call at Hydro-Québec. We learned a lot from their team,” she says.
Just getting this done is a feat in itself
Alex Gareau
Judging will take place over two weeks and will be broken down into 10 categories: architecture, market appeal, engineering, communications, innovation, comfort zone, appliances, home life, commuting and energy.
Judges will also evaluate each entry for cost feasibility, power efficiency, environment adaptability, power generation capacity and architectural quality.
As part of the judging process, teams will have to cook, do laundry and host dinner parties in their newly constructed homes.
For Gareau, just making it to China is a triumph.
“We obviously want to win, but just getting this done is a feat in itself,” he says.
“To complete construction in 22 days after more than two years of hard work, stress, and all the hurdles along the way, that alone is an accomplishment.”
Jemtrud adds that regardless of how the decathlon goes, TeamMTL has plans for a phase two. The project will see three fully outfitted DPD units built in Montreal over the coming year.
Find out more about TeamMTL.