12 Oct 2016 - Sustainable Projects

WHAT IS SUSTAINABLE DESIGN

Through thoughtful designs, sustainable design is the intention to reduce or eliminate negative environmental impacts. This concept can be applied across all fields of design such as designing buildings or products.

A sustainable design incorporates environmentally-preferable outcomes such as:

·    Lower energy and water consumption through the entire life-cycle – from manufacture to daily use to disposal

·    Minimize impact on climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions or mitigating them through carbon neutralizing activities

·    Limit resource consumption through waste-free manufacturing, a preference for renewable resources, and an emphasis on recycled materials

·    Reduce or eliminate waste by minimizing consumption, reusing when possible, and recycling when necessary

·    Minimize impact on the local ecosystem and look for ways to incorporate bio mimicry principles where possible

·    Give preference to non-toxic materials and those that will contribute to the health and well-being of humanity

·    Emphasize quality and durability over price

THE LIGHTHOUSE

The Lighthouse is the UK’s first building that meets level 6 of the Code for Sustainable Homes and also a nett zero-carbon house. 

The ambition for this is to create living homes where the innovative environmental systems and construction methods do not accommodate the quality of life of the occupants, but creating adaptable, flexible spaces designed for sustainable modern living. 

This house has a size of 93m², two-and-a-half-storey, and 2-bedroom. It is designed in line with Lifetime Homes and Housing Quality Indicators.

The 40° roof is a simple barn-like form structure. The sweeping roof envelops the central space – a generous, open-plan, top-lit, double-height living area, with the sleeping accommodation at ground level. 

The living space uses a timber portal structure so floors can be slotted between frames or left open as required. At ground level, a timber frame structural layout carries the vertical loads of the open-plan frames above and provides stability to the load-bearing shear walls. 

To achieve Level 6 there is a mandatory heat loss parameter which demands high U-values for the building fabric, thus the Lighthouse’s ratio of glazing to wall is 18%, as opposed to 25-30% in traditional houses. This drove the decision to locate the living space on the first floor, to maximize daylight and volume. 

HOVER HOUSE 3

Located within the Venice Canals in California, The Hover House 3 is designed by Glen Irani Architects. The 3^rd series of Hover House aims to reduce the amount of indoor living space by taking it outside. Each Hover House "hovers" over the ground floor creating a protected outdoor living space, thus reducing materials needed, but never at the sacrifice of living space. The third home was constructed on a tight lot and goes above and beyond when it comes to sustainability. Green materials, a wind tower and solar panels have all come together to create this stunning eco-residence.

Situated on a tight lot, the home expands upwards hovering over a large covered outdoor patio, which sits next to the at grade garage. Living space and bedrooms are located on the second and third floors.

On top of their expanded outdoor living area the home relies on natural ventilation, proper window placement and a wind tower that extends 9' above the roof to eliminate the need for air conditioning all together.

A model of the home explains the layout of the rooms and outdoor living area.