Contemporary Design in Detail: Sustainable Environments

132 Sustainable Environments

Above and Opposite  e harvested rain-

water is pumped back uphill to recirculate

through the pools and the Xeriscape, or

water-conserving, garden, which is planted

with Carolina wolfberry, red yucca, and

Mexican buckeye—species native to the

region.  e design of the garden refl ects the

local landscape and preserves the natural

qualities of the site.

creek

garage

rainwater cistern

133

Hydrological Systems

David Hertz Architects,

McKinley Residence Addition,

Venice, California, United States

Photovoltaic panels and fl at-plate collectors

form a low profi le on the fl at roofs of the

house; in particular, the pool house where

the roof tapers to a thin knife edge at the

eaves.  e addition forms an L that wraps

around an outdoor court with a lap pool.

Designed to be energy effi cient as well as

responsive to environmental and health

concerns, the pool uses a silver-based ion-

ization system that greatly reduces chlorine

levels.

134 Sustainable Environments

Above Left  ree diff erent solar energy

systems contribute to the home’s utilities.

While photovoltaic panels generate most

of the house’s electrical requirements and

the fl at-plate collectors supply water to the

heating system, other hot water needs are

met through evacuated tube collectors that

concentrate solar energy with small para-

bolic troughs.

Above Right Flat-plate collectors on the

roof generate hot water for the in-fl oor radi-

ant heating system. Solar energy heats the

water in the pipes of the collectors, which is

then circulated through the hot water tank

into the tubes of the radiant system in the

concrete and Syndecrete fl oors.

Hydrological Systems

135

Architectuurstudio Herman Hertzberger,

Water Villa, Middelburg, Netherlands

 e Water Villa rests on a light hexagonal

fl otation ring constructed of massive hollow

steel pipe at the waterfront of De Veersche

Poort. Specifi c factors determined the mate-

rials and construction of the fl otation device:

the depth of the water; the possible draft, or

depth of the vessel’s keel below the water’s

surface when loaded; and tidal or other

changes in water levels. In this instance, the

steel fl otation system is suited to the stable

water level and the need for a shallow draft,

but other technologies could be applied in

diff erent water environments.

136 Sustainable Environments