The Home Sweet Home competition was aimed at post-secondary students to design an environmentally friendly home for Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie, and their six children. The competition required the design of a structure which would aim to meet four goals; be a healthy and comfortable for the occupants; be efficient, effective, and economical; be ecologically and socially responsible; and be affordable and marketable.
The intention of Sun House is not only to demonstrate the superior performance of green building strategies, but also to create an inspirational, and beautiful environment for a family to inhabit. The house allows nature to naturally ventilate, heat, and cool during the summer whilst during the winter, the interior of the house is well protected from the harsh Kapuskasing climate. By creating a comfortable and liveable space year round, Sun House uses green building technology to create the most natural house as possible.
Exterior Render
Sun house creates a very comfortable environment for the occupants and a healthy home to grow in. The house takes advantage of its location, allowing the continuous view of the natural surroundings. Being a naturally ventilated, heated, and cooled space, the house works with nature to create a comfortable living environment. Natural light is able to fill all areas of the space daily, reducing the needs of artificial light greatly. The house is designed to provide as large amount of space to the large family, but to also use this space effectively. Built with earthy materials such as straw, wood clay, and concrete, the house creates a comfortable and inviting environment. Low VOC paints were used and formaldehyde free carpentry was installed. Because of the natural materials used in Sun House the occupants enjoy a very comfortable home.
Floor Plans
The plan of the house was developed off a simple symmetrical grid which allows for reductions in cost and construction. The layout of the house does not require more than 4 exterior corners, further simplifying the design. Straw bale is the main material used in the house, and is also the main insulator. The straw bale is very affordable and can be locally sourced. When combined with a plaster finish on the interior and the exterior, the building envelope becomes quite simple. The straw bale is used extensively, taking advantage of its cheap costs. As the site consists of 100 acres with a large amount of wooded area, wood is an excellent local building material used in the project. The wood would be selectively harvested from the forest and locally milled to the required sizes. It must then undergo a drying process before being installed. Once installed the wood beautifully furnishes the interior, whist still being relatively economical to the family. Roxul, and polystyrene insulation were used where straw bale was not appropriate (during areas which could encounter moisture problems) in order to maximize efficiency of the project. Insulation was also installed to follow a simple ratio of efficiency R10 for basement under slab, R20 for basement walls, R40 for exterior walls, and R60 for roof of house. This current ratio was adapted for greater insulation to be located under the basement slab, due to its increased temperature caused by the radiant floor heating. The house does is not embellished with intricate details, and is instead creates a beautiful space through its symmetry and composition.
There are three main benefits to sourcing as much local materials as possible. It is affordable, it is environmentally aware, and it encourages social interaction and a dialogue with the community. Locally sourced material, such as the wood selectively harvested from the site, is inexpensive and has minimal direction to travel. Using local materials also allows for increased interaction with the community. When constructing a straw bale house, much help is needed, but little skilled labour is required. Local neighbours and inhabitants of the future house work together to successfully create an environmentally responsive structure. Millwork details completed by a local carpenter also allow for interaction amongst community. By involving the community in the construction process, it not only provides education of green building practices, but it also takes of one of the greenest resources; a community.
The open concept of the main floor allows the space to be slightly modified to fit the intentions of any client. The master bedroom, located on the lower level provides all of the sought after features of a new modern home, without extreme cost. By locating the less used space (mechanical, vestibule/recycling area, and bathrooms) north of the interior straw bale wall, all of the mechanical plumbing is significantly reduced. The building operates off grid. This allows the home owner to monitor their own energy, water, and heat usage without having to pay for it. The second level of the home, although comfortably configured for 6 children may be transformed in to any additional programmatic space. The disassembly of the interior partitions allow any part of the space to become an artist's studio, fitness center, home office, or secondary living space. This is possible as there are no load-bearing walls or columns, no plumbing, and no awkward space restrictions. By orienting the building along a central wall, not only does the building benefit from stack effect, it also is organized efficiently along a central spine. Thus circulation space doubles as living space in almost all areas of the home. With its natural interior finishes, programmable areas, and breathtaking natural views the off grid house appeals to a wide variety of clients.
The most advantageous aspect of this home`s design is its flexibility. Organized on a central spine the home can shrink and contract based on the needs of the builders. Additional living space can be achieved by continuing the grid established. The second floor plan of the house allows the house to be personally adjusted to meet the needs of any group or individual inhabitant. The house is not built around technology to achieve its goals. Although the house uses wind and solar to generate electricity, it could easily be operated by alternative forms of energy if opportunities are presented from an alternate site or future technology. Simple straw bale construction and wood finishes do not require skilled and specialized labour to build. This allows the house to be built locally, in any locality. The main benefit of Sun House is that it is flexible enough to adapt to multiple clients, technologies and communities.
As well as achieving these four main goals, the project has to be specified in depth:
Energy Specification
Area, Insulation, R-value
In Sun House different insulation materials were used to follow a ratio of R-10 for basement slab, R-40 for exterior walls, and R-60 for house roofs to maximize efficiency (as heat rises). The slab was given increased insulation as it contains radiant floor heating. Straw bale was used as it provides around R-40 and is local, environmentally friendly, and affordable. Roxul insulation was used because of its recycled waste content, its performance, and its resistance to water damage and fire.
Windows:
Most windows were oriented due south as to provide maximum heat gain. Additional smaller windows allow east and west light to enter into more private areas. As these windows are small and due east/west they result in minimal thermal gain during the summer months, and are thus not shaded. The south facade is shaded by the large overhang of the roof on the second floor, and the ground floor is shaded by a deck which extends the length of the building. The deck provides the optimal shading required in the summer, whilst proving more usable than a simple trellis.
Doors:
Two Madawaska exterior doors serve as fire exits for the house. Due to the location of the car park is it the most convenient entry is west facing. This door is designed to enter on to an interstitial vestibule, with a second sealed door which enters into the living space of the house. This system prevents cold winter air from cooling any part of the living space while occupants enter or exit. Madawaska wood doors are made with excellent quality wood, they use no toxic glues, are durable and long lasting, as well as locally available.
Space Heating:
Ventilation Section
The house is oriented due south to maximize the amount of thermal heat gain received from the sun. When solar gain can not satisfy the heating needs of the home, during the harsh winter months, radiant floor heating delivers heat to the home. Radiant heating, unlike a typical furnace, is efficiently used through the circulation of water, opposed to air, and provides a more even and comfortable space without the restraints of duct work.
Space Conditioning:
The house is not air conditioned, as is rare that the temperature in Kapuskasing would approach a severely uncomfortable temperature. The south facade of the building is designed to be entirely shaded on the 21st of June which results in no access thermal gain. Due to the north facing clere storey windows, the house may take advantage of stack effect to naturally ventilate all areas of the house as desired.
Water Heating:
Solar hot water heating is installed on the roof. This preheats the water, so the tankless water heater requires less energy to bring the water to its desired temperature. The tankless water heater does not keep a large volume of water hot for long periods of time, and thus does not drain power. It is only used when it is demanded. By using the sun to preheat the water the energy savings during peak sun times could be significantly reduced.
Power Generation:
Power Generation
Sun house uses two renewable electric generation systems; solar and wind. This diversification makes it less possible for weather conditions to stop the generation of power completely. During the winter, when the amount of sunlight is lower, wind power may substitute the needs of the home. During the summer solar photovoltaic may carry the energy demands of the home.
Lighting:
Daylight Section
LED lighting will be used in the house as its electricity usage is the most efficient form of lighting. The house will be furnished with abundant task lighting. There will be no shortage of electrical outlets allowing the occupants to make use of task lighting. Task lighting would allow a corner of the living room to be lit, instead of the entire living area; saving energy on a daily basis.
Interior Render - Summer
Interior Render - Winter
Water Specification Form
Water Reuse:
Rain water collection was not used to the point of being filtered as there are no storm water issues in Kapuskasing, and the occupants will access free clean drinking water through a well. Rain water is collected in a barrel for plant drip irrigation only. The waterloo bio filter uses bacteria to break down chemicals in grey water and black water. This water will be released downstream from the house, although the output of the system is clean. The conditions of the waterloo bio filter are that no highly toxic chemicals be flushed down any of the drains in the house. This is because toxic chemicals would kill the bacteria in the bio filter and render it useless. Thus the system reaches beyond rainwater treatment and ensures that natural and more eco-friendly cleaning solutions be used in the home at all times.
Water Conservation:
'Proficiency 3L toilet' from Proficiency; Ultra High Efficiency Toilets only requires three liters per flush. This is because it uses air pressure to assist in the flushing process. This toilet is more efficient than a dual flush toilet; as the minimum flush on a dual toilet is 3 liters, and the maximum is 6 liters Toto low flow faucets allow for only 5.68 liters per minute to be used, and Toto low floor shower heads use only 6.6 liters per minute, creating further water savings.
Water Conservation Outdoor water use:
Situated by a lake in Kapuskasing, it is would be unnecessary to use a rain water collection system to reduce storm water, as there is abundant water on and around the site. However, Brad and Angelina may wish to grow their own food during the summer months. A rain barrel will located at the north-east corner of the house, which could be able to provide drip irrigation for plants frown by the family. Permeable paving was used in the driveway and gravel was added installed around the perimeter of the house. The gravel was added to help protect the plaster from any water damage caused by splashing.
Materials Specification
Exterior Siding:
Interior Render - Second Floor
A cement based plaster would be applied to the straw bale, despite cement's environmental damage, as cement's water resistance is necessary. The plaster would be applied in eight, 1/8th inch layers, ensuring that fractures in the plaster do not align. Large five foot overhangs help to protect the plaster from rain. The base edge of the plaster is located three hundred millimetres above grade and the perimeter of the house is lined with an area of gravel which will reduce the damage caused by splashing of rain water.
Exterior Roofing:
Galvalume metal roofing is used for the roof. This is preferred over cedar shingles as there is a relatively low pitch. The galvalume sheets are long enough that there would be no seams length wise. Self-sealing screws would be used to install the roof as to ensure it would not damage the ice damning/roof membrane underneath. The Roof also would support the hot water system and the photo voltaic panels. The 5/8th inch plywood which is located underneath the ice damming would be used prior to its installation to protect existing tree roots from damage caused by the concrete truck. As the truck drives into the site, the plywood distributes the weight of the wheels, ensuring it will not damage the intricate root structure below.
Interior Flooring:
The only interior floor that was used was concrete. 2 " of concrete was applied over tong and groove wood slats, which sit on wood joists on the second floor. The concrete incorporated 35% recycled potash into its mix. All of the wood used in this floor assembly was be taken from selective harvesting from the forest, cut at the local saw mill, and dried on site. Limited concrete was used as to allow the use of a wood structure and because of concrete's harsh environmental impact. Radiant floor heating is installed into the floor, allowing back up heating/heat distribution to take place.
Interior wall finishes:
The majority of the interior walls of the house are the straw bale walls. These would be finished in two ways. The first, where thermal gain is possible with the low winter sun angles, would be a clay finish allowing heat to be stored inside the 2 inch deep plaster. The second, used where thermal gain is not possible (no direct sunlight) would involve a finish of a Venetian plaster. The Venetian plaster applied to the straw bale wall would use waste marble dust in its mix. This would result in a stone like finish, which is light enough to reflect large amounts of light. This combination would create a bright space whilst maximizing thermal gain. The other interior partitions (Bedrooms/Bathrooms) would be made from wood which would be locally harvested and screwed together, allowing for easy deconstruction and re-use if desired in the future.
Countertops:
The countertops would be made using local wood from selective harvesting from the 100 acre lot. Butcher block countertops could be created by a local carpenter without using toxic glues or finishes and FSC certified wood products. By using the skills of a local carpenter, the occupants can connect with the local community, and save the environment from the unnecessary costs of increased transportation/delivery associated with box store`s products and installations.
Cabinets:
The wood cabinets of the house were, similar to the countertops, made by a local carpenter with formaldehyde free glues and FSC certified wood products. By hiring a local carpenter the occupants support connections with the community. It also reduces travelling costs associated with box stores, and can result in a much better quality of product.
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Rowdium seeks to revitalize Toronto's aging modern tower neighborhoods, which are one of our greatest urban resources. They were built with
the promise of a high quality of life, transforming the region during the post-war boom. But with over 1000 of these towers in the greater
Toronto Area, they are now starting to show their age, and are becoming inefficient consumers of energy. By adding family rowhouses, two
storey family units, retail, daycare, and community services to these neighborhoods, these concrete tower neighborhoods have the ability to
adapt to current housing needs, have the needed space for amenities, contain dense enough populations to support vibrant life and public transit, and can last for several more generations. Rowdium offers the promise of sustainable neighborhoods, a housing mix for all stages of life, and an empowered local community.
Truly sustainable neighborhoods are not just clusters of efficient buildings, they are communities that promote social, economic, cultural, and
ecological health, of which residents are proud to call home. So far, this has not been achieved in most tower neighborhoods in Toronto. If given
the proper tools, these neighborhoods have the potential to become complete communities, enabling sustainable cities, and a high quality of life.
Turning apartment neighborhoods into hubs for the community will make that community stronger through local job creation, enhanced
availability of local food and services, safety, and expanded outdoor recreation space.
Inefficient energy use in existing concrete towers in Toronto is delivering massive amounts of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. Using
recladding and retrofitting, demand for heating and cooling can be reduced in these buildings by 50%. Due to their straightforward construction
and abundant open space, these aging apartments are highly suited for green retrofits that will provide a significant reduction in carbon output.
Adding on to existing towers and Installing energy efficient retrofits will allow property owners to enjoy decreased energy cost, allowing them to
keep rents affordable while the buildings are being upgraded. The most sustainable and efficient building is one that is already built. By avoiding
demolition and rebuilding, the community can be served at a fraction of the cost of building new.
Straightforward upgrades such as thermal over-cladding will cut energy use significantly. But additionally, an over-cladding process offers the
opportunity to update building appearance, creating unique and attractive neighborhood landmarks.
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