Joe and Kristen Taddanio live in Fraser, which is one of the coldest climates in Colorado. After years of living in a tiny home, they were eager to design and build a modest home in the mountains on their newly purchased, 1/8th acre lot. Kristen and Joe are both energy-conscious individuals with backgrounds in science, technology, and energy policy, and they have worked for organizations like the U.S. EPA (Energy Star Program), Mountain Parks Electric, and the Energy and Policy Institute.
In 2017, Joe and Kristen attended the CU Boulder Solar Decathlon showcase in Denver. Looking to get more involved with energy efficiency, they were very impressed with the innovative, sustainable home designs on display. Roughly two years later, Kristen and Joe were asked to sponsor a solar decathlon team for the 2020/2021 Solar Decathlon Build Challenge. They saw the invitation as an opportunity to combine their passions for home electrification and affordable housing, and they wanted to build a home that produces more energy than it consumes.
Their new home, designed and built by a team of students during the pandemic, is known as SPARC, which stands for sustainability, performance, attainability, resilience, and community.
