Contemporary Design in Detail: Sustainable Environments

Environmental Interface

91

92 Sustainable Environments

wood and glass roof

roof with gaps in wooden structure

control of light, heat, and air by wood with low-heat conduction

guest house and terrace

adjustable air layer with doors and windows

not only a guest room but also various living spaces

main house

space covered by many natural materials and natural elements

space that is most stable through every season

air and stone landscape

air layer in gaps between crushed stones

Above  e roof is a single plane that com-

bines a top layer of glazing over wood and

air spaces to insulate certain areas and admit

daylight and heat to others.  e glazing per-

mits snow to adhere to the roof for increased

insulation in winter.  e crushed stone, in

conjunction with the sectional organization

of spaces, accounts for seasonal diff erences.

In winter, the stone protects against cold air

currents through the “snow cave” phenom-

enon, and in summer, it cools incoming air

for ventilation.

winter: closed

When the wooden doors and windows are closed, the up-

per fl oor becomes an insulating air space above the lower

fl oor. When the snow is piled up on the crushed stones, it

acts like a snow cave. Thus, the main space of the lower

fl oor is protected by many insulating layers of air.

summer: open + mesh

When the wooden doors and windows are opened, wind

travels through the upper and lower fl oors. Furthermore, the

house copes with high temperature and humidity because

the gaps in the wooden roof structure and the crushed

stones are ventilated.

section

upper fl oor of guest house

lower fl oor of main house

upper fl oor of guest house

lower fl oor of main house

Environmental Interface

93

94 Sustainable Environments

95

Opposite  e terrace rests above the pri-

mary living quarters, which are lit by window

wells in the rock. Welded wire provides a

clear-cut form around the openings by hold-

ing the stones in place, much like gabions.

Despite some additional reinforcement, most

of the stone remains exposed on the incline.

Above  e design involved methodical plan-

ning. Program was arranged horizontally

and vertically according to hourly frequency

of use, ventilation and natural light require-

ments, as well as thermal variation.

roof: fl oat glass t = 12 mm (

1

/

2

")

SSG sealing

aluminum FB 60 x10 mm (2

3

/

8

" x

3

/

8

")

stainless steel channel 70 x 12 mm (2

3

/

4

" x

1

/

2

"), t = 2 mm (

5

/

64

")

rafter: pine 390 x 105 mm (15

3

/

8

" x 4

1

/

8

")

beam: pine 120 x 300 mm (4

3

/

4

" x 11

13

/

16

")

void t = 185 mm (7

1

/

4

")

structural plywood t = 24 mm (

15

/

16

")

void t = 120 mm (4

3

/

4

")

structural plywood t = 6 mm (

3

/

8

")

void t = 75 mm (3”)

ceiling: teak t = 15 mm (

5

/

8

")

roof edge: stainless steel t = 3 mm (

1

/

8

")

weathersealing

draining: stainless steel t = 3 mm (

1

/

8

")

cedar lattice

sliding window

local crushed stone

welded wire netting

Environmental Interface