Symbiosis - The Sustainable House

Project idea

I was inspired to create this project as a 14-year-old sustainability enthusiast who truly believes that the future of architecture is eco-friendly. Growing up in a polluted city, I saw the negative impacts of construction like air pollution, greenhouse gas emissions, etc. However, it did not stop there. Living in modern day houses in LEDCs contributes to energy wastage and efficiency is not being maximised. Moving to the Netherlands helped me interact more with sustainable architecture projects, helping me design "Symbiosis - The Sustainable House".

Project description

This project consists of several sustainable elements as specified in the project portfolio. Double or triple glazed windows, insulated walls, and organic ventilation are crucial for saving energy in a cold country like the Netherlands. High ceilings have been used to create a sense of space, as the house in itself is an attempt at sizing down. The windows and doors have been placed in accordance with the prominent wind direction in the Netherlands, as well as the sunrise and sunset views. Local materials like brick and clay for the roof are used in the exterior to avoid transportation footprint. There is solar power to serve the energy needs of the house and plenty of plants and hanging gardens to maximise oxygen flow. These components make the house stand out in front of other houses that fail to include minute details that make it more environment-friendly.

Technical information

The house is built within a 10x10x10m volume to encourage compact designs. There are two floors, with an outdoor opening in both floors. The materials used for the exterior are brick for the structure, and clay for the roof. The inner walls are Gypsum walls, as it is typical for Dutch households. There are 2 bedrooms, 3 toilets and 2 bathrooms with a non-partitioned kitchen, dining and living space. There is an outer garage for bicycle storage, and 2 balconies for gardening.