Year
2014
This CO2-neutral mixed-use residential and commercial building was designed by n11 Architects according to the architectural principles of cradle-to-cradle (C2C). In choosing the roofing material, the architects looked for an energy-efficient solution that could be easily reused and recycled. SunStyle’s ability to adapt to unusual roof shapes allowed the architects to realize their innovative project while producing green energy in all seasons. The building’s 130 m2 solar roof generates about 12,000 kWh per year.
Architectural methods and the choice of natural materials.
In order to minimize energy demand and create a carbon-neutral building, the position of openings and windows was calculated to retain as much heat as possible in the winter, but not to absorb excessive heat in the summer. The thickness of the walls and floors retains heat in winter and keeps the temperature comfortable in summer. According to its builders, the temperature in the building has always been between 18° and 25° throughout the seasons.
No heating required for a CO2-neutral building
Intelligent use of natural materials allows heat storage:
- Layers of cross-mounted wooden boards
- flax fibers
- rock wool
- layer of cork for sound insulation
- layer of clay mainly for the floors
The use of the materials made it possible to avoid the installation of a heating system. The only technical equipment used is the SunStyle solar roof, which provides electricity for the building, and a heat pump, which can also be used for hot water if needed.
A carbon-neutral and fully recyclable building
The wood was not treated. Wood screws and dowels were used for assembly, which does not use adhesives or composite materials. The plumbing fixtures came from the building materials exchange. So the house could be completely disassembled and returned to the recycling loop.
Take advantage of the geographical position
The house is located at an altitude of 1000 meters in the Simmental, a region where bad weather never lasts more than three days at a time, and knows no fog. What makes this project particularly remarkable is the fact that the radical ecological orientation was not at the expense of architectural aesthetics – quite the opposite!
More insights and views into the solar landscape.
More information about the SunStlye solar tiles for residential homes as well as for commercial properties.
