Smart Facade
Typically, energy efficient construction is thought to necessitate dense, highly insulated walls to reduce heat transfer between the interior space and the outside. The Living Light house proves just the opposite, making extensive use of glass for transparency, daylighting, and spatial connection to the surrounding environment. A dynamic double façade system, made up of multi-pane, highly insulated interior glass and single-pane exterior glass, is implemented along the majority of the north and south facades of the home. Alternating translucent and transparent panes allow for views of the landscape while maintaining a sense of privacy for the occupant.
The north and south facades become the stage upon which the building comes to life. Sandwiched between the two panes of glass is a motorized horizontal blind system which blocks solar radiation, or sunlight, before it reaches the conditioned space. The blind system is programmed to provide proper lighting and shading throughout the year. It also provides more privacy when desired. The cavity within the system is also integral to the mechanical system of the home.
During the colder months, the horizontal blinds are deployed to reduce glare within the home. The black face of the blind absorbs solar radiation and harvests heat within the south façade cavity. The preheated air is directed to an Energy Recovery Ventilator (ERV) which recovers even more energy through its exhaust air stream. This supplies fresh preheated air to the house while reducing the energy consumption of the ductless mini-split heat pumps. The warm exhaust air from the ERV is then directed outside through the north façade to reduce heat loss.
During the warmer months this process is reversed, pulling fresh air in from the north façade cavity by the ERV and pre cooling the air with the exhaust air stream to reduce the energy consumption of the ductless mini-split units. The exhaust air stream is directed through the south façade to cool the cavity and reduce heat gain through the wall. The blinds can be lowered within the façade cavity to block the majority of solar radiation before it penetrates into the conditioned space. The efficient ductless mini-split heat pumps cool and dehumidify the space to preset temperature and humidity levels.
When outside temperature and humidity is acceptable, the operable windows on the interior façade can be opened to allow fresh air inside. All systems turn off except for a small fan to properly ventilate the house. This means that during 20% of the year, the Living Light house uses only the energy to run a small fan to keep the homeowner comfortable.
Living Light sounds like a stylish design of nature and necessity bringing light and controling temperature within, without the fossil fuels. Brilliant!
[...] functionality and performance. This engineering video begins to break down our systems, like our smart facade and cylindrical solar array, and explain how these ideas are working together to create a [...]