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DESIGNS FOR ECOHOMES

Golden Section

A psychological connection with sustainability and nature is injected into this design with the use of the Golden Section. The structural framework and positioning of the internal skeleton walls for the house are designed using Golden Section guidelines.

By using nature’s proportion formula, each internal individual space is designed to a scale that is relative to nature, as well as the human body. This allows the occupant to relate to the spaces inside the house, and so these spaces should be relaxing places to be.

The house structure is designed to a grid, giving it flexibility and adaptability both during the design stage and post construction. Walls can be slotted in the skeleton walls with relative ease and designated spaces can be relocated. Because there are defined internal structural walls, the external envelope simply wraps around the desired floor plan.

External facades can either encompass all of the floor plan solely creating internal space, or external zones can be allocated, as at first floor level, where the external deck can be enclosed to create an additional bedroom.

To the rear of the house is a utility pod, designed as a stand-alone component. This element can be relocated to any position in the housing framework or set as an independent structure away from the house. The utility pod is created from Reglit glazing, which allows natural light to be diffused into the interior while obscuring any views into bathing areas. The glazed structure would also have a lighting system, turning it into a glowing beacon and identifying it as an individual structure.

The external zone at the centre of the house connects architecturally with the utility pod, because it also uses the Reglit glazing system. This allows natural light to percolate through to the centre of the building, while still offering an element of privacy. The external section could be removed during the design process or filled in post construction to create additional rooms.

To attain level 4 of the Code for Sustainable Homes, the house uses geothermal energy and solar panels. Foundation piles transfer heat in the ground to heating/ventilation systems. This is a better way of drawing on geothermal energy than the usual practice of laying pipes horizontally in the ground, which requires an extensive amount of land.


ARCHITECT:

Jefferson Sheard Architects
Address:
The Hacienda
21 Albion Street
Manchester
M1 5DA
Tel: 0161 2006370
Fax: 0161 236 9896
Website: www.jeffersonsheard.com

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BRITISH HOMES AWARDS

Tomorrows Lifestyle Home

Golden Section
 
Golden Section

General Annual Design Competition Partners Design Brief