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House 61

This detached private house was designed to high standards in terms of ecology, the environment and building biology. Shaped like a ring-segment in plan, the villa opens up towards the park-like garden, which borders a protected landscape conservation area. The transparent villa with about 400 sq m of net floor area gives a light and almost weightless impression. Mainly natural, unprocessed and non-toxic materials have been used. The façade and the window frames are made of Oregon pine. The coated glass has a good thermal insulation performance and keeps mobile phone radiation and electric smog away. The design avoids electromagnetic pollution and radon emissions. The bedrooms have a mains cut-off mechanism. Two stairs connect to the lower floor with playrooms and secondary functions.

Power is generated from renewable sources. The energy use of the house is well below the already strict German energy-saving regulations. Heating is provided from three sources: 85% of the annual requirement is provided by a thermal solar system and a ground-source heat pump. During high demand periods, hot water is also produced from a wood-pellet-fuelled heating system. In summer, the underfloor heating in the rooms is linked to the geothermal cooling system. Electric power comes from renewable sources through the public grid. A custom-made computer system manages and optimises the functions in each room, and regulates the natural ventilation and sun shading by means of a motor controlled façade system. It has several preselected “functional scenarios”. Cisterns collect the rain water from the roof so that it can be used for irrigation. A total of 18 slender steel columns carry the cantilevering roof. It is made from stainless steel, so that the rain water cannot get polluted with particles. House 61 is a building that offers the optimum standard of healthy living.

  • Built
  • 2003-2005

    GFA 747 m²