Sponsored by SoCalGas, the Rose Parade Float depicts homes of the past, present and future, including the first-ever in the U.S. fully integrated hydrogen home
LOS ANGELES – August 12, 2022— The Building Industry Association of Southern California (BIASC) unveiled its innovative sustainable communities float concept for the 2023 Rose Parade. To mark the 100th Anniversary of BIASC, this year’s Rose Parade Float was designed by participants of the Junior Builders program, a program formed in 2019 that engages with 10-15-year-old future builders. The design celebrates the BIASC’s 100th year by depicting the past, present and future of homes.
The float design will feature three homes, one from the past, the present, and the future to demonstrate BIASC’s leadership in the transition to the next generation of home building. The home representing the “present” will be a first-of-its-kind in the U.S. demonstration Hydrogen Home equipped with rooftop solar panels, a battery, an electrolyzer to convert solar energy to hydrogen, and a fuel cell to supply electricity for the home. The demonstration model that will appear on the float is inspired by SoCalGas’ [H2] Hydrogen Innovative Experience currently being built in Downey which will be the first home in the country to showcase how carbon-free gas made from renewable electricity can be used in pure form or as a blend to fuel clean energy systems of the future.
“We are thrilled to unveil our Rose Parade float concept this year to celebrate our 100th anniversary by showcasing how we are building sustainable communities for today and our future,” said Jeff Montejano, Chief Executive Officer at BIASC. “Our Junior Builders have helped us to bring our commitment to sustainable communities to life with the innovative design and eventually with their work to construct the float.”
This year’s leading sponsor of the float, SoCalGas, also announced a $100,000 donation to support the expansion of the Junior Builders program to provide sponsorship opportunities for children from under-resourced communities to participate in the program and help construct the float.
“We are proud to be the leading sponsor of BIASC’s float showcasing their long-standing commitment towards building innovative sustainable communities for families today and in the future,” said Scott Drury, Chief Executive Officer at SoCalGas. “What makes this even more special is participants in BIASC’s Junior Builders program designed and will ultimately construct this year’s Rose Parade float. SoCalGas is honored to support the next generation of builders in Southern California.”
The float will be debuted at the 134th Rose Parade, taking place on January 2, 2023 in Pasadena. Participation in the parade requires every inch of every float to be covered with flowers or other natural materials, such as leaves, seeds, or bark.
Images from the August 11th float design unveiling event can be found here.