Page 45 - ISES SWC50

Norman B. Saunders

Country: United States
Year Started Research: unknown
Title of Research: Several solar houses, including 100% solar and
cooled Shrewsbury House and Cliff House
University: Self; lived in Weston, Massachusetts, USA
Still Active in Research: No

Norman B. Saunders’ 100% solar heated and cooled homes, all in northern climates, are the subject of two books
by Dr. William A. Shurcliff. The first is called “Saunders Shrewsbury House”, May 1982, 100 pages, published by W.
A. Shurcliff. In a cover letter to Bruce N. Anderson on May 28, 1982, Dr. Shurcliff wrote: “The variety and novelty of
the design strategies used are remarkable. Equally remarkable is the simplicity of the execution. The performance
seems almost too good to be true: 100% solar heating (no furnace or wood stove), ample window areas on all 4
sides of the house, integral greenhouse, constant supply of fresh air, DHW solar preheating, fully automatic oration
(no daily cares such as operating thermal shares - there are none), cooling in summer, and overall simplicity and
durability. I can’t think of any other solar house or super insulated house that rivals this one - for high performance,
low cost.” It employs 20 new strategies of energy collection, storage, control, and distribution. This house and two
there Saunders houses are the subject of Shurcliff’s later book “Super Solar Houses”, 1983, Brick House Publishing
Company. Saunders’ first solar house, his own, was completed in 1960.

Steven V Szokolay

Country: Australia
Year Started Research: 1953
Title of Research: climatic design for office buildings
University: University of Budapest/University of New South Wales
Still Active in Research: No

Steven V Szokolay started working and studying as a draftsman in Budapest in 1953, when his studies were
interrupted by the Russian incursion. Finished 1961 at the University of NSW. Worked at the Commonwealth
Works Department; in his final year accepted a position with Sydney architects Edwards Madigan and Torzillo.
1963 left for Westfield, where designed shopping malls, including Blacktown and Dee Why. 1963, left Westfield
for Europe, worked for Richard Gallino on the town center redevelopment Weston Super Mare. Attended 1973
ISES Conference Paris, becoming a Society member, and meeting Australians from CSIRO working in solar, and
12 other Hungarians working in solar energy. 1974-1976 was tenured by Liverpool University in Nairobi, where
he became interested in architectural science and design. Enrolled in a Masters on climatic design for equatorial
highland climates concurrent whilst teaching in Nairobi. Senior lecturer at Technical Centre London and Portsmouth:
designed a Solar Scope and founded the Environmental Sciences teaching group. Worked with Otto Koenisberger
at the AA School and subsequently employed as Senior Lecturer at the University of QLD, St Lucia. Moved to the
Brisbane campus in August 1984. Norm Sheridan and Bill Carr built Australia’s first official active solar house in
Melbourne. Steve was working on solar air conditioning. Was approached to assist in a ‘solar city’ development at Mt
Cotton; the Dept of Mines and Energy gave a monitoring performance grant. Authored the influential Introduction to
Architectural Science. The basis of sustainable design, seminal in inspiring many architectural students. Successfully
enhanced his architectural science unit at UQ, authoring over 150 research papers, mostly on solar energy and
energy conservation in buildings, climatic design and sustainable architecture, publishing over a dozen books.
Received the ANZSES Special Award (2001), Order of Australia (AM) for his solar work and the Centenary Award
(2002) for educational achievements.

ISES SWC50 - The Century of Solar-Stories and Visions | 27