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Green Good Design
PLUS ENERGY HOUSE
Bad Homburg, Germany
Architects: Martin Wilhelm, bb22 architekten+stadtplaner
The concept behind this house was to develop a humble structure that would at the same time express through the use of renewable materials as well as state of the art technology a commitment to green and responsible building.
The client, convinced of the importance of green building in its everyday application, wanted to build a home for his young family and at the same time make a statement that the future of single family home building is green and affordable.
The house was built on a small, asymmetric plot of land. Through its siting, straightforward modern aesthetic and classical roof form, the unpretentious house fits carefully into the existing neighborhood of single family homes. Only the almost undetectable photovoltaic roof modules give an inkling that this simple structure houses the technology to more than compensate for its own energy use. The energy standard of 'Effizienzhaus Plus' or Plus Energy House joins energy gaining and saving technology with high quality construction allowing the house to gain more energy than it uses during the year.
The building shell is constructed with thermally insulating bricks and low-e glazing for maximal light and insulation. The roof integrates photovoltaic modules with an effectiveness of 21,5 %.
More PV-modules will be added later on top of adjoining buildings to gain energy for e-mobility.
Additional technology includes an air to water-heat pump, a wood burning fireplace which includes water heating and a heat recovery air system. If those sources are unable to generate enough energy at a given moment, the house can draw green electricity from the public infrastructure.
The building materials came from regional providers with renewable resources. Rainwater collection is used for the direct use of the toilet and outside gardening. The house includes four levels connected by an extended central stairway providing a dynamic view up through the middle of the house to the roof floor. This organization created 4 quadrants per floor which were then programmed according to the family's needs, including small commercially used rooms such as a nail studio and the home office.
