An update of Le Corbusier’s seminal Villa Savoye, a Modernist “machine for living”. In this version, the narrow “piloti” columns double as stilts and wind turbines, while the flat roof terrace becomes a vegetable garden. The house’s technical simplicity and high daylighting levels show that the original design was inherently sustainable.

Design

Although the 9m x 9 m plot generates a house smaller than Villa Savoye, the architects have remained true to its main design points. Corbusier’s columns create space for car-parking, and the option of creating ground floor live-work space (as well as flood-proofing the house in susceptible areas). With no loadbearing internal walls, the arrangement of rooms can be reconfigured with partitions. Windows with high insulation values and external blinds provide generous daylighting while minimising unwanted solar gain. The walls can be constructed from insulated timber panels, and clad in a variety of materials.

Technical

Four wind turbines operating at an average wind speed of 5 m/s would produce 3-4000 kWh per annum
Rainwater collected on the roof is direvted to a storage tank at ground level, where it is filtered then pumped back to flush toilets
An evacuated tube solar hot water system would be installed over the stair to the roof

Innovation

Returning to a classic of the Modern movement for inspiration

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