International project:
IT House
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The IT House unites high-tech with handcraft in a unique way and offers residents a new
visual and physical relationship with their environment. Taalman and Koch believe that
modern architecture should bring us back closer to nature, which is why their concept of “IT
House” has long been in production. Under the motto “Less is Less” – less weight, less work,
less trash, less waste – further IT Houses that offer a unique living space have been created.
Energy efficient and comfortable
Those who decide to live in a region where the temperatures can reach into the hundreds
by day and below freezing at night should probably protect themselves with solid concrete
walls, small windows and a powerful air conditioner. However, Taalman and Koch have
decided for the opposite: the 100m2 IT House is conceived as an open layout that brings the
environment indoors with floor to ceiling glass walls. Residents become a natural part of the
surrounding landscape while the effects of the building on the environment are minimized.
In the undulant scenery of Joshua Tree, between rocks and dry desert undergrowth,
Taalman and Koch began to build their refuge in 2006. The layout includes an aluminum
frame system covered with perforated steel. The bedroom and bathroom as well as the
living area range two inner courtyards. When bathing in Duravit’s Happy D. tub, the door
to the inner courtyard stays open so that both water and ventilation ensure proper cooling.
No air conditioning is needed, for energy efficiency is at the core of the IT House concept.
Floor heating takes care of the warmth required at night, while cross ventilation provides
freshness during the daytime. Energy and hot water are generated by photovoltaic and solar
thermal panels.
Furthermore the windows and sliding glass doors are made of “Solar Ban 60” glass with
thermal insulation (Low-E). The exterior of this special glass is coated with a microscopically
thin, almost invisible metal layer that works like a filter. Long-wave radiation (e.g. infrared)
is blocked, while short-wave, visible light can pass through.
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Click images to enlarge
In order to make life in the glass house more comfortable, Taalman and Koch worked with
the artists Sarah Morris and Liam Gillick. They designed a plaid-like grid that covers parts of
the glass walls, providing protection from the sun. When needed, the bathroom and bedroom
disappear behind thick felt curtains designed by Elody Blanchard. AD