vegetation growing back, the idea is that it would eventually disappear
visually and become part of the landscape.
How would you describe the style of the home?
Minimalist, raw, simple, honest. We wanted to design a house in harmony
with the landscape.
What sustainable initiatives were implemented in the design?
Passive Solar (Climatic) Design Principles:
• Orientation: The house was designed with a perfect north orientation (along
an east-west axis) while the western façade is kept clear of any window
openings.
• Shading: large roof overhangs allow for optimal solar energy shading in
summer, while permitting solar heat gain in winter
• Ventilation: Natural cross-ventilation is achieved by sliding doors & window
openers along the northern and southern façades of the house. Openers in
the top clerestory windows below the roof overhang allows the easy natural
extraction of hot air in summer.
• Thermal Insulation:
- Windows: All glass windows and doors are Double Glazed
- Walls: The masonry walls are insulated cavity walls
- Floors: The floors on ground level are insulated underneath
Active Solar & other Green Systems:
• Geysers: Heat transfer pumps are used to heat the geysers. The heatpumps
are powered by means of photovoltaic solar panels. All hot water pipes are
lagged.
• Underfloor heating: Water-underfloor heating are used to heat the interior in
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