The Solar Decathlon is an international competition in which 20 teams of universities are selected to design, build, and test a solar powered house that will compete in ten different contests.  The competition will be held in Madrid in September 2012.  The contests test the house’s functionality, energy efficiency, architecture and sustainability, engineering, and innovation.

The American University in Cairo was founded in 1919 by Americans devoted to education and service in the Middle East. Originally, AUC offered instruction in the arts and sciences, as well as education. Today, the university has 25 departments and institutes offering undergraduate, masters and graduate diploma programs.

Arkan is a project that reflects the heritage of Egypt and the Arab world while maintaining modern lifestyle. The word Arkan means “Pillars” in traditional Arabic and “Corners” in Egyptian dialect, and these terms represent the simplicity of our design. Arkan crosses traditional Arabic design with cutting-edge technology to create a sustainable and eco-friendly house featuring the best of both worlds.