Andrew

THIS SIMPLE COTTAGE DESIGN FEATURES PRE-FABRICATED COMPONENTS THAT ALLOW FOR PRECISION AND REDUCED CONSTRUCTION TIME. MATERIALS WERE CHOSEN FOR ENERGY EFFICIENCY, SUSTAINABILITY, AND RESISTANCE TO FIRE AND UV DAMAGE. CUTTING EDGE PHOTOVOLTAIC GLASS PANELS FULFIL ENERGY REQUIREMENTS AND ALLOW FOR MAXIMUM DAYLIGHTING. 36” OPENINGS AND TRACK DOORS WERE USED TO IMPROVE ACCESSIBILITY.

INSPIRED BY DANTE BINI (INVENTOR OF THE BINI-SHELL), THE HOUSE IS A PASSIVE DESIGN FEATURING A LIGHT WEIGHT CONCRETE EXO-SKELETON INSULATED WITH A SUB LAYER OF HEMP-CRETE. THE SHELL IS EXTREMELY STRONG AND DURABLE, HAS MINIMAL THERMAL BRIDGING, IS FIREPROOF AND REQUIRES LESS BUILDING LABOUR THAN CONVENTIONAL SYSTEMS. HEMP-CRETE IS A NATURAL PRODUCT, THAT HAS HIGH R-VALUE, IS NON-TOXIC, CAN BE SOURCED LOCALLY, HAS EXCELLENT ACOUSTICAL QUALITIES, AND SEQUESTERS CARBON OVER ITS LIFETIME. IT IS A HIGHLY SUSTAINABLE PRODUCT. PROPER SOLAR ORIENTATION/SHADING AND VENTING WORK IN CONCERT WITH THE THERMAL MASS OF THE HEMP-CRETE TO REDUCE ENERGY CONSUMPTION. HEATING AND COOLING IS PROVIDE BY A HIGH EFFICIENCY HEAT PUMP. THIS SYSTEM TYPICALLY REDUCES ENERGY COSTS BY UP TO 40%. OTHER BENEFITS INCLUDE A SMALL FOOTPRINT AND MINIMAL INSTALLATION REQUIREMENTS.

CONNECTING TO NATURE HAS PROVEN BENEFICIAL TO HEALING, HEALTH AND WELLNESS. BOTH AN INTERNAL ECO-SYSTEM AND CONNECTION TO THE EXTERNAL SURROUNDINGS WERE ESSENTIAL. DOUBLE SKIN CURTAIN WALLS EQUIPPED WITH HVAC SYSTEMS MITIGATE THE EFFECTS OF THE EXTERNAL ENVIRONMENT WHILE PROVIDING NATURAL LIGHT AND EXPANSIVE VIEWS OF KOOTENAY LAKE AND THE PURCELL MOUNTAINS. THE MAIN INTERNAL STRUCTURE, CONSTRUCTED FROM MASS TIMBER, MIMICS A TREE-HOUSE WHICH ALLOWS FOR A FULLY IMMERSIVE, THREE DIMENSIONAL INTERACTION WITH THE SURROUNDINGS.

A COMMUNITY SPACE FOR ART INSTALLATIONS AND PERFORMANCES. THE SWEEPING ROOF-LINE MIMICS THE LANDSCAPE OF THE SELKIRK MOUNTAINS, ENHANCING THE PANORAMIC VIEW. TRANSLUCENT ROOF PANELS ON A CURTAIN GRID PROVIDE PROTECTION FROM THE ELEMENTS AND CAST SHADOWS ON THE CURVED WALLS, CREATING VISUALLY STUNNING LIGHTING CONDITIONS.